Spanish Archbishop José Ángel Saiz Meneses has called for unity and forgiveness among Catholics as a controversial restoration of Seville’s much-loved statue of the Virgin of Macarena has sparked public outcry.
The 17th-century statue, which is venerated as Our Lady of Hope, was unveiled on 21st June with noticeably altered features, including extra-long eyelashes and a paler face.
Critics said the changes left Mary looking like she had "undergone plastic surgery", with one worshipper commenting the expression had shifted from sorrow to “consternation”.
In response, the statue was quickly modified twice within 24 hours.
The Confraternity of the Macarena, responsible for its care, apologised for the “moral and devotional harm” and confirmed its steward and sacristan had resigned.
Retired sculpture professor Juan Manuel Miñarro said: “The Virgin of La Macarena belongs to the people of Seville, not to the confraternity.”
“Errar es humano, perdonar es divino, rectificar es de sabios”.
— José Ángel Saiz Meneses (@ArzobispoSaiz) June 24, 2025
(Alexander Pope)
MARÍA SANTÍSIMA DE LA ESPERANZA #MACARENA nos quiere unidos, como hermanos, como hijos suyos, mirando al futuro, caminando en la verdad y el bien@Hdad_Macarena pic.twitter.com/v35AMehIEt
Writing on X, Archbishop Saiz Meneses urged reconciliation: “To err is human, to forgive divine… Mary Most Holy of Hope Macarena wants us united, as brothers and sisters.”
Further reviews of the statue are being overseen by heritage experts.