Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
Arts & Entertainment
Church Forgives Lennon
By
Jen Carlson
Published Nov 27, 2008
Modified Nov 27, 2008
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Jen Carlson
Published Nov 27, 2008
Modified Nov 27, 2008
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
This week reports have been coming in that the Vatican has forgiven John Lennon, which, you know, may have been more appropriate before he died 28 years ago. Lennon’s 1966 remark that the Beatles were “more popular than Jesus” was regarded by certain religious folks as "the ultimate blasphemy." Beatles records burned! Sensational headlines ran in the papers! Everyone overreacted! However, "with semi-official Vatican newspaper L’Osservatore Romano using the 40th anniversary of The White Album to expunge Lennon of his sins," it seems all has been forgiven. Well, goddammit, that took long enough didn't it! Their reasoning? “[This was] showing off, bragging by a young English working-class musician who had grown up in the age of Elvis Presley and rock and roll and had enjoyed unexpected success”.
Tagged
forgiveness
jesus
john lennon
L’Osservatore Romano
Lennon
vatican
Jen Carlson
Jen Carlson is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE arts-entertainment
At the Museum at FIT, an argument for dolls as the ultimate fashion influencers
There’s a lot to think about in the doll-verse.
By
Quinn Moreland
Published Sep 30, 2026
Immanuel Wilkins is upholding NYC's jazz history. He's also dreaming up its future.
The saxophonist performs this week at the Village Vanguard.
By
Sonia Rao
Arts & Entertainment
Immanuel Wilkins is upholding NYC's jazz history. He's also dreaming up its future.
The saxophonist performs this week at the Village Vanguard.
By
Sonia Rao
Ever wish you could get paid to walk through a stranger’s house? ‘The Scout’ is for you.
By
Sonia Rao
There are 100s of places to visit during Open House New York. Here's 5 of our favorites.
By
Hannah Frishberg
A massive MTA archive ended up in a Virginia warehouse. A Brooklyn man brought it home.
By
Hannah Frishberg
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .