The Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) finally decided to shut down the controversial art exhibit of artist Mideo Cruz.

The gallery, called “Politeismo,” received criticisms from religious and NGO units for featuring artworks of several versions of Jesus Christ and other religious objects decorated with a red penis or other odd objects. The Catholic Church described the gallery as “blasphemous” and “sacrilegious.”

“Due to numerous emails, text messages and other letters sent to various officers of the CCP, and to the artists themselves, with an increasing number of threats to persons and property, the members of the Board of the Cultural Center of the Philippines have decided to close down the Main Gallery where the Kulo Exhibit is on display,” the CCP said in an official statement.

However, CCP claims that it was not the first time that “Politeismo” has been exhibited as it had been featured in Ateneo de Manila, UP Vargas Musueum and Kulay Diwa since 2002.

Despite the closure of the said exhibit, Lawyer Jo Imbong of the St. Thomas More Society of Lawyers said they will file criminal charges against the CCP and artist Mideo Cruz for “offending” Christians.

Photo Credit: Yahoo Philippines

Note: This is a repost