FROM THE EDITOR: Pope cartoon generated strong reaction

“This is obviously satire ... mocking the unoriginality of political cartoonists.”

As printed in the Reader Reaction section below, that’s how one commenter at StarExponent.com succinctly described Monday’s cartoon “Learn how to draw the pope” by nationally syndicated cartoonist Daryl Cagle.

I couldn’t have said it better.

The cartoon, which generated a heated response from some people in the Culpeper community (see letter below and subsequent letters in coming days), was meant to be satire that hit both ways. In my view, it was more of a stab at overzealous, perhaps unoriginal, cartoonists than it was at a pope who is fending off scandals involving the sexual abuse of children by church leaders.

For context, the cartoon, which can be found on caglecartoons.com, ran on the editorial page with the heading: “You can be a famous political cartoonist if you ... learn how to draw the pope!” It then had various panels illustrating Pope Benedict XVI as: Pinocchio; wearing blinders; the Devil and a Nazi. The last two depictions addressed the issues of papal involvement in birth control and the aforementioned sex scandals. The cartoon ended with: “It’s easy to be a cartoonist!”

Sarcasm aside, some saw these images as being in poor taste or crossing the line. On the flip side, others believe such hard punches are more than warranted and that no man — even the pontiff — is above reproach. Both are valid positions.

Above all, it should be pointed out that the cartoon is not an attack on Catholicism or Christianity. It is a social commentary on how a worldwide figure with enormous power and responsibility is being depicted in the media. This newspaper — under my watch, at least — never has and never will advocate the merits of one religion (or denomination) over another. We will, however, occasionally publish political cartoons on sensitive topics that inevitably offend readers for one reason or another.

As the person who selected the cartoon, I knew that its publication could produce backlash. In many respects, that’s a healthy thing, and I welcome your civil comments on the matter. As a deeply religious person, I certainly understand that people are concerned as to how their faith is portrayed in the media. You have every right to be.

But please know this: I’m not out to bash the pope. Neither is the Star-Exponent. We’re a community paper that supplements its editorial page with syndicated political cartoons and other content that may or may not reflect our personal views. If you disagree with something in the paper, I respect that and fully expect you to voice your opinion.

Again, I welcome your civil comments on this cartoon, or any other topic. You can e-mail me at rhumphreys@starexponent.com.