Open Letter to the NSW Minister for the Arts, The Hon John Graham MLC

Dear Minister Graham,

We recognise and uphold the right to freedom of artistic expression. We do not seek to stifle free speech or prevent artists from expressing views with which we disagree.

However, we are deeply concerned that the government is financially supporting productions that mock, degrade or deliberately provoke the Catholic community.

This concern has arisen in particular in relation to Divine Playhouse and programming associated with UNHOLY / DIVINE.

Divine Playhouse attracted significant criticism over performances and events planned for July 2026 that incorporated Christian imagery and religious themes. The NSW Government provided a reported $100,000 Create NSW grant for its programming.

At the time, we were told that the NSW Government may have been misled about the intentions of the group when the grant application was made. An examination of the funding was promised, yet no satisfactory public explanation or outcome has subsequently been provided.

Nevertheless, Divine Playhouse has now returned under UNHOLY / DIVINE, appearing to double down on what can only be described as a deliberate mockery of the Catholic faith.

The promotional material for events planned at the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia in October features three inverted crosses and promises Adoration, Confession, Hymns and Processions.

These are not merely incidental references to Christianity. They involve the deliberate appropriation and, in our view, sexualisation and denigration of symbols, language and rituals that are sacred to Catholics.

But the principle at stake goes far beyond the mockery of Christianity.

We ask you to consider a simple question:

Is it ever appropriate for public funding to be allocated to the appropriation, sexualisation, ridicule or deliberate degradation of the sacred beliefs, symbols and rituals of any religious community?

No believer should be expected to accept the use of their sacred beliefs as material for ridicule simply because it is presented as artistic expression. Freedom of artistic expression is important, but it does not follow that every artistic project must be financially supported by public funding.

The Government cannot credibly call for religious tolerance and social cohesion, while quietly funding intolerance and division based on religious belief.

For many members of the community, the issue is therefore not simply the existence of a controversial artistic production. It is the fact that public money is being used to support programming that deliberately mocks and degrades Christians.

We therefore petition you, Minister Graham, to undertake that no government funding will ever be allocated to the ridicule of religious belief.

Our faith is not a prop, a punchline or a source of sexual entertainment.