Photo: Jim MacKay/WBZ NewsRadio
QUINCY, Mass. (WBZ NewsRadio) — Animal rights organization PETA is offering to fund the city of Quincy’s controversial Saint statues if they also include the patron saint of animals.
The two 10-foot-tall bronze statues of St. Michael and St. Florian, the patron saints of police and firefighters, have brought about controversy in the city as they come with a $850,000 price tag and are planned to be erected in front of the city’s new public safety building.
Many critics have denounced the inclusion of religious imagery in front of the government building, pointing to separation of church and state.
“You should have separation of church and state, that’s the way I thought the founding fathers wanted,” said one citizen.
In a letter penned to Quincy’s Mayor Tom Koch on Halloween, PETA’s faith outreach division LAMBS said they would help fund the effort to erect the statues if they moved the statues to a different location and included the patron saint of animals, St. Francis of Assisi.
In the letter they wrote, “PETA would be glad to help cover the costs of these statues if they are moved to another meaningful public space-perhaps near City Hall-and provided that the display also includes a statue of St. Francis of Assisi, the beloved patron saint of animals.”
PETA said the inclusion of a St. Assisi statue would help serve as a reminder to show mercy to animals in our daily lives.
They further wrote, “We would be honored to work with your office to help design and install the statue so that the final display reflects the values of the Quincy community and stands as a symbol of compassion and moral unity.”
The unlikely offer came as a shock to some who had no idea about the potential collaboration.
“I’m surprised,” said one resident. “I was not aware that was happening,” he continued.
However, reactions about the statues still remain polarized throughout the city.
“I do not like the idea of the statues, just for the money reason,” said one resident.
“Personally, I’m not opposed to the statues, we’re allowed to display religious speech in the public sphere,” said another resident.
At this time Quincy’s Mayor Koch has not responded to the letter or its offer.
WBZ NewsRadio’s Chris Fama (CFamaWBZ) reports.