Various posters intended for evangelization (the promotion of the Christian faith and teachings about Jesus) have been hung for years on the building on Dąbrowszczaków Street (on the Kościelna Street side). However, the newest poster draws attention with a rather ambiguous message.
Have the authors of the poster advertising Christianity gone too far with the symbolism this time? The photograph of people being given a wafer to put in their mouths, captioned “God is good,” brings to mind both taste and eating, as well as goodness of character.
The Church in the West has successfully used modern forms of advertising aimed at consumers. In France, a professional Church campaign promoting vocations was launched in 2010 under the slogan “Jesus is my boss! Why not?” (Jesus is my boss! Why not?).
The campaign, developed by the renowned advertising agency Bayard Service, cost more than 300 thousand euros. Another slogan used in it was: “The Church is rich: it is full of love, hope and brotherhood!” The posters featured elegant young men wearing clerical collars and suits, declaring that they were just like everyone else and that Christ was their passion.
The campaign probably resulted in a 10% increase in priestly ordinations in France in 2012. Especially since it clearly praised the profession of priest during a period of rising unemployment in the country.
It is possible that the advertisement near the Marian Sanctuary is a less successful Western-style advertising campaign that found its way to the small town of Bolesławiec. And although the good God does not need it at all, the Church certainly does.
(information: G.H.)