Homeless Jesus sculpture planned for Cathedral

St Mary's Cathedral in Edinburgh has been granted planning permission by the council to install a ‘Homeless Jesus’ sculpture.

It is hoped that the sculpture depicting Jesus Christ sleeping rough on a park bench will focus attention on homelessness in Edinburgh and remind Christians of their duty of care to homeless people in the city, writes the Edinburgh Evening News.

The Cathedral was approached by Canadian sculptor Timothy Schmalz in March about the possibility of installing one of his Christian sculptures.

He has an anonymous patron who is supporting his Matthew 25 bronze sculptures in various places across the world.

The church hopes to have the bronze piece installed on a paved area near its grounds, after the city council approved planning permission last week.

A spokesman for the Archdiocese of St Andrews & Edinburgh said: “We were pleased to hear from Timothy Schmalz and grateful that he wanted to place this iconic thought-provoking sculpture at St Mary’s Catholic Cathedral.

“The sculptures are being placed in key locations across the world and he believes that our cathedral is a fitting site.

“Pope Francis has been vocal in calling us all to remember the plight of the homeless in our prayers and charitable work.

"The Homeless Jesus will be a stark reminder and a prompt that we all have a duty to care for those without a home in our city."

“The cathedral can now begin preliminary work and we hope to have delivery and instalment in the vicinity of the cathedral by the end of the year.”

The council’s planning department decided that this sculpture is not detrimental to the cathedral which is a category-B listed building that has been in Edinburgh city centre for more than 200 years, or the New Town Conservation Area it sits in.

This consent is for planning permission only. Work can not begin until other necessary consents such listed building consent have been obtained.