A sculpture titled Transcendence, currently displayed in Bendigo’s Sacred Heart Cathedral, has sparked significant controversy within the Catholic community. Critics argue that the artwork, created by local artist Ben Wrigley, incorporates elements of non-Christian spirituality, leading to calls for its removal.
Installed since late April, Transcendence is part of Wrigley’s Five Wands series, a city-wide art pilgrimage exploring stages of human life. This particular piece, situated within the cathedral, represents the theme of “transcendence” and is intended to evoke contemplation on the transition from earthly existence to the spiritual realm. Crafted from a 100-year-old pine tree, the sculpture features symbolic elements that some interpret as aligning with Buddhist iconography and esoteric traditions.
Members of the local Catholic community have expressed concern over the sculpture’s presence in a sacred Christian space. They argue that its aesthetic and symbolic features are incongruent with Catholic teachings and may confuse or mislead parishioners. In response, Bishop Shane Mackinlay of the Sandhurst Diocese acknowledged the concerns, stating that the diocese was unaware of certain descriptions associated with the artwork prior to its installation. He noted that references to witchcraft and other non-Christian elements have since been removed from the project’s official website to mitigate further misunderstanding.
Despite these measures, the sculpture remains in place, and the debate continues. The situation highlights the challenges faced by religious institutions in balancing artistic expression with doctrinal fidelity, especially in contexts involving interfaith and multicultural considerations.
