Toy giants Playmobil are taking legal action against a priest who used their figures to recreate scenes from the Bible. The German firm is understood to be horrified that the scenes could deeply offend other religions.
Now makers Geobra Brandstaetter has ordered Father Markus Bomhard to scrap his Playmobil Children's Bible Plan, despite backing from the Pope.
Lawyers for the firm - based in Zirndorf, southern Germany - are writing to the 38-year-old priest telling him he has no permission for the project and must no longer use the name Playmobil, dress figures in Biblical costumes or photograph them.
Father Bomhard, from the Protestant Community of Eschborn, central Germany, said: "I am disappointed, many children had written to me asking for more scenes and suggesting what they would like to see.
"I had the idea to recreate Bible stories for children three years ago."
In one scene, a Jesus model is seen wearing a crown of thorns.
The idea won awards from Church groups and German-born Pope Benedict XVI even congratulated the priest, writing last November: "May your project make the Holy Bible more approachable for many children as well as adults and grown-ups."
But Gisela Kupiak of Playmobil said: "We've got no problem with using the figures as they are in their original costumes. What we are on about is redesigning them and changing their appearance."
She refused to comment on claims that they were forcing the project to close to protect the
company from criticism from other religions.SV: We here in CW would now ask you to consider boycotting PLAYMOBIL products until such time as they retract this ridiculous action.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Disclaimer
No responsibility or liability shall attach itself to either myself or to the blogspot ‘Clerical Whispers’ for any or all of the articles placed here.
The placing of an article hereupon does not necessarily imply that I agree or accept the contents of the article as being necessarily factual in theology, dogma or otherwise.
Sotto Voce
(Source: AT)