The satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo
The satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo, which was the target of a deadly jihadist attack in 2015, has once again found itself in the spotlight. On Tuesday, two Catholic associations filed a complaint against the publication for “incitement to religious hatred” following the release of a cartoon depicting the Virgin Mary on August 16. AFP reports that the complaint was filed in a Paris court.
The cartoon, published by Charlie Hebdo the day after the Assumption, depicted the Virgin Mary—a significant symbol for Christians—in a derogatory manner, showing her with symptoms of mpox (monkeypox) and accompanied by offensive labels such as “whore,” “pig,” and “liar.” The associations “Marie de Nazareth” and “La petite Voie,” which filed the complaint, claim that the drawing is deeply offensive to Catholics.
The publication of the cartoon has already sparked outrage in Catholic circles. The Tribune Chrétien condemned the “baseless incitement of hatred against Catholics in France” and launched a petition calling for the cartoon’s removal.
This incident has exacerbated the existing tension between the Catholic community and Charlie Hebdo. In late July, Catholic authorities expressed their anger over scenes of mockery of Christianity during the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympic Games, which featured drag queens resembling the Last Supper of Jesus.
Pope Francis, speaking in June this year, voiced his opposition to insulting religious feelings, stating, “We can laugh at God, but not insult the religious sentiments of the faithful.” He emphasized that freedom of speech should not be used as a tool for provocation or mocking others’ faith.
His remarks were made in the context of the 2015 events, when, following the publication of cartoons depicting the Prophet Muhammad, Charlie Hebdo’s editorial office was attacked—a move perceived as retribution for their actions. At the time, Pope Francis noted that even freedom of expression has its limits, particularly when it comes to offending religious sentiments.
