A husband and wife in León, Mexico recently tied the knot in a Saint Seiya-themed wedding. While many Saint Seiya fans and otaku would give a themed wedding like this the thumbs up, it received the ire of the Archdiocese of León and Archbishop Jaime Calderón Calderón.
Both the archdiocese and archbishop put out statements against the wedding, which had occurred at the Templo Expiatorio del Sagrado Corazón de Jesús, arguing that they found it disrespectful to the Catholic faith. For instance, the archbishop wrote a list of reasons why he didn’t like the wedding, including, “The temples consecrated for worship and the encounter with God are sacred places, and that is why it is requested to enter them dressed appropriately” and “Marriage is sacred because it comes from God, and the spouses must give that moment its place and dignity.”
The archbishop asked his fellow priests to prevent any such themed weddings in the future that he says would “violate the integrity of the faith and the dignity of the sacraments.”
As a perhaps unexpected twist, this is happening around the same time that the Vatican is unveiling an official anime character mascot named Luce, and this is meant to be a way to reach younger audiences. Luce will make her debut at an Italian comic convention by a different archbishop, Rino Fisichella, who says that attending the comic con “will allow us to speak to younger generations about the theme of hope, which is more central than ever in the evangelical message.”
VIZ Media publishes the original Saint Seiya manga, and gave this description for its plot:
Saint Seiya Plot
In Greek mythology, Athena, the daughter of Zeus, was born in full armor. By birthright the goddess of battle, she did not believe in conquest, and only fought defensive wars. Her battles with bloodthirsty gods and giants shook the very earth and seemed to last forever. On the battlefield, there were a group of youths that always surrounded and protected the goddess: the Knights of Athena! Flash forward to modern-day Greece: two Japanese tourists are shocked to see a mansized meteorite crash to the earth before them. It turns out to be young Seiya. Seiya must train harder than ever if he is to survive his match with the brutal Cassios! Whoever wins will receive the greatest prize known to man: the incredibly powerful Pegasus Cloth!
Source: ANN
Danica Davidson is the author of the bestselling Manga Art for Beginners with artist Melanie Westin, plus its sequel, Manga Art for Everyone, and the first-of-its-kind manga chalk book Chalk Art Manga, both illustrated by professional Japanese mangaka Rena Saiya. Check out her other comics and books at www.danicadavidson.com.
In addition to the controversy surrounding the Saint Seiya-themed wedding in Mexico, it is interesting to note the contrasting approach of the Vatican in using an anime character mascot named Luce to engage with younger audiences. This highlights the evolving ways in which religious institutions are adapting to connect with the youth in today’s digital age. Moreover, the plot of Saint Seiya provides a fascinating insight into the fusion of Greek mythology and modern storytelling, appealing to fans across generations with its themes of battle, protection, and the pursuit of powerful artifacts.
The Archbishop’s strong stance against themed weddings raises questions about the intersection of popular culture, religious traditions, and personal expression. It prompts a discussion on the boundaries and respect within sacred spaces, as well as the role of clergy in upholding the sanctity of sacraments. This incident serves as a reminder of the diverse perspectives and interpretations that can arise when different cultural elements intersect, sparking debates on tradition, modernity, and freedom of expression.
Overall, the controversy surrounding the anime-themed wedding in León sheds light on the complexities of navigating cultural sensitivities, religious beliefs, and societal norms in a rapidly changing world. It invites reflection on the importance of dialogue, understanding, and mutual respect in addressing diverse perspectives and values within communities. As we continue to witness the evolution of cultural practices and expressions, it becomes essential to foster open communication and empathy in bridging differences and fostering harmony among individuals with varied beliefs and backgrounds.
