The Archdiocese of Washington filed a legal action against the
Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) Nov. 28 after an ad for its “Find the Perfect Gift” Christmas campaign was rejected.
The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority rejected
the Archdiocese of Washington’s “Find the Perfect Gift” Christmas ad for being
“non-commercial advertising,” according to the complaint. COURTESY
“WMATA’s decision to suppress free speech and ban the depiction
of a religious scene is saddening and troubling,” said Bishop Michael F.
Burbidge of the Diocese of Arlington. “WMATA approves the commercialization of
Christmas by showing ads depicting gifts and material goods, but unfortunately
the portrayal of the reason we celebrate this time of year — the birth of Our
Lord and Savior Jesus Christ — is a guideline violation.
“This egregious action should be reversed and I applaud Cardinal
Donald Wuerl and the Archdiocese of Washington for courageously addressing this
issue,” Bishop Burbidge said. “I pray that those with authority over WMATA
guidelines will see reason and allow a simple, peaceful and joyful religious
image to be displayed. Religious freedom must be upheld!”
As recently as 2015, the archdiocese advertised with WMATA for
its Lenten “The Light Is On For You” campaign, which promotes the availability
of confession in the archdiocese and in the Diocese of Arlington. The Christmas
ad, which depicts silhouettes of shepherds under a starry sky, directs viewers
to a website listing local Mass times, Advent and Christmas traditions,
catechetical resources and ways to serve those in need. The archdiocese planned
to promote the campaign via social media and ads on bus shelters, as well as on
Metro buses.
“The rejected ad conveys a simple message of hope, and an invitation
to participate in the Christmas season. Yet citing its guidelines, WMATA’s
legal counsel said the ad ‘depicts a religious scene and thus seeks to promote
religion,’ ” said Ed McFadden, secretary for communications for the
archdiocese.
“To borrow from a favorite Christmas story, under WMATA’s
guidelines, if the ads are about packages, boxes or bags, if Christmas comes
from a store … then it seems WMATA approves. But if Christmas means a little
bit more, WMATA plays Grinch,” he said.
