New York City, October 7, 2016

Photo: Hiroko Masuike/The New York Times

A crucifix depicting Christ with a woman’s figure was installed at the Episcopalian Cathedral of St. John the Divine in New York City, more than thirty years after it had been displayed at the cathedral for the first time, reports The New York Times.

The crucifix, called “Christa” was created by artist Edwina Sandys. The scandalous work was condemned when it was first exposed to the public back in 1984. Then it was qualified as “theologically and historically inexcusable.”

However, today the point of view of American Episcopalians about this “masterpiece” has changed radically. Bishop Andre Dietsche of New York of the Episcopalian Church of the USA has said that “a believer may be prepared to see ‘Christa’ not only as a work of art, but also as an object of faith.” The bishop abstrusely noted that it is possible in the process of the “development, growth, and study of the Church.”