Do you see anything wrong?

By Manuel C. Coppola
Published Tuesday, October 6, 2009 10:31 AM MDT

I’m all for supporting a church, whatever denomination, especially when the goal is to help steer our youth in healthy and moral directions.

I’m sure that is, in part, the intent of San Felipe De Jesus Catholic Church with its annual festival and pageant scheduled for Oct. 17 and 18.

But are not the photos of some of the pageant’s young contestants featured in today’s edition of the Nogales International’s Community Section fanning the exploitation of females based on the superficial? Where is the morality in that?

The fact that the newspaper is publishing the photos and helping to promote the event is not lost on me. There was an internal battle between my conscience and a desire to help the church. Alas, what I came to question as self-righteousness, took a back seat.

Nevertheless, I’ll hypocritically pick on the church anyway because its inherent mission is to bolster Christian values. It’s an easy target.

To me, the pageant is at odds with those values. San Felipe is not alone, however.

It is beauty pageants such as Miss World, Miss Universe, Miss America, as well as local “amateur” programs that bolster an unhealthy sense among many teenage girls who define beauty and depth by the shape and size of their bodies, hair style, eye color and so on.

I must point out that in San Felipe’s case, it is not the girl deemed most beautiful who gets to be queen, but the contestant who raises the most amount of money. They do it through a variety of fund-raisers such as car washes, raffles and carne asadas.

This takes the emphasis away from the physical traits and brings on a more objective competition. Or does it?

Although a longstanding and accepted tradition among some churches, culture and even our society, I’m sure the clergy at San Felipe can find more appropriate fundraising activities than this “queen’s” pageant. We’d love to publish them.

(What do you think? Let us know at manuel.coppola@nogalesinternational.com or 268 W. View Point Dr., Nogales, Ariz., 85621.)

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Comments

To Maria H wrote on Oct 13, 2009 10:52 AM:

" If you are so offended by this article, then do exactly as you have said- ask what can you do to help your church- to avoid this negative view on it, other than tell fellow church members to just show up at church, throw their money in the basket and, I quote, "SHUT UP!!!" Yeah, that really sounds like a much more effective method of fundraising!! Somehow I don't think your church will appreciate your help with this type of fundraising. They may ASK you to stop! "

Offended wrote on Oct 12, 2009 1:54 PM:

" Mr. Coppola as a person of faith and a Catholic I find your so called article offensive to the Catholic community and to our great leader Father Villi. "

not necessary wrote on Oct 12, 2009 1:53 PM:

" Well Mr. Coppola what do you suggest? Maybe you can donate part of your paycheck to the church. "

Sonya wrote on Oct 12, 2009 1:50 PM:

" Senor Coppola francamente no conosco su trabajo creo que esto se debe a que no es usted un buen periodista si a este tipo te articulos se les puede llamar periodismo veo con tristeza mas bien que es AMARILLISMO y el atacar a una iglesia o religion no habla bien de usted ni de su profesionalismo y etica o mas bien falta de. Talvez escribio este disque articulo para causar controversia y sentirse importante que pena caer tan bajo solo para que lo conscan. "

Eduardo wrote on Oct 9, 2009 2:14 PM:

" I completely disagree with Mr. Coppola and this article. You're expressing concern for the church but at the same you are attacking it. Why don't you write an article about ways in which the community can help the church. Youre article is not based on facts since you don't know how the pagent works and how the parents are working very hard to raise the money... "

Paulina wrote on Oct 9, 2009 2:06 PM:

" Mr. Coppola I've been helping one of the candidates raise money because she is my friend I'm a teenager and I find it nice to help her and help out the church. Through these activities I've been staying active ina positive way and I've learn the needs of the church and it helps me feel good to help out my community One shouldn't question the activities we should just help and think of the activities as a good deed. "

Maria H. wrote on Oct 9, 2009 2:02 PM:

" I STRONGLY disagree with Mr. Coppola and two of the comments. For some of you readers mosts of the mother and organizations supporting the church candidates do have charitable activities is just that it is not neccessary to use the newspaper to make it public. It is very easy to critizice and sit back and do nothing. If you reader's and Mr. Coppola find this activity wrong just take your donation to the church say your prayers and SHUT UP!!!! This contests is not based in external beauty and behind each candidate is a lot of hard work from a community that wants the church to look its best. This article, as well as the two negative comments are ignorant and based on what.....WHAT HAVE YOU DONE FOR YOUR CHURCH LATELY????? DON'T ASK WHAT YOUR CHURCH CAN DO FOR YOU ASK WHAT YOU CAN DO FOR YOUR CHURCH...... "

Me wrote on Oct 7, 2009 12:13 PM:

" I agree with this article. There are many other healthy, innocent, and less attractive ways of running a fundraiser. This should never even been thought of. There is no respect for the church or its members anymore.

The leaders should take charge, and not let anyone get carried away ideas that seem very unlocgial, unprofessional, and out of moral! "

Hugo wrote on Oct 6, 2009 5:07 PM:

" How about providing some fundraising suggestions rather than "hypocritically" picking on the church for holding a beauty pageant? "

Totally in Agreement wrote on Oct 6, 2009 1:40 PM:

" I totally agree with Mr. Coppola. In a time where a lot of our youth are losing their moral compass, should the church be focusing on the superficial??? I would hope that they would do something like recognize someone who has done charitable things for the community like volunteer their time in helping the elderly those in shelters, schools, etc. Maybe they can get sponsors to donate money to the church for their charitable contributions to society. "

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