Madonna # 6 - Counting down to our Confessions (3 en 4 sept)

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From today's Rush & Molloy column on the New York Daily News:

Cross-cultural ire at Madonna

Who says Madonna doesn't bring people together?

Catholic, Muslim and Jewish leaders have united to denounce the mock crucifixion she plans to stage when her tour hits Rome Sunday.

You know - 'cause we told you in April - that the pop deity descends during her show on a glittering crucifix while wearing a fake crown of thorns.
The act has already ticked off Catholics in the U.S. Now, Ersilio Cardinal Tonino, reportedly speaking on behalf of Pope Benedict XVI, declares: "This time the limits have really been pushed too far. This concert is a blasphemous challenge to the faith and a profanation of the cross. She should be excommunicated. To crucify herself during the concert in the city of Popes and martyrs is an act of open hostility."

Mario Scialoja, head of Italy's Muslim League, concurs: "Her idea is in the worst taste, and she'd do better to go home." Riccardo Pacifici, vice president of the Roman Jewish community, agrees she should have snuffed the inflammatory routine.

Word is NBC urged her to cut the crucifixion from her concert to be broadcast in November. But it's staying. "She felt like that was a cornerstone of the show," said NBC exec Kevin Reilly. "We viewed it and didn't see it as being inappropriate."

Liz Rosenberg, mouthpiece for the ecumenical hate object, tells us:

"I think the Pope would enjoy the show and would applaud her performance.
He has an open invitation to see for himself the eloquence and beauty that Madonna expresses for humanity while performing her poignant song 'Live to Tell.'"

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Russen weren Madonna van Rode Plein

MOSKOU - Madonna mag haar eerste concert in Rusland niet op het Rode Plein in Moskou geven. Het spektakel met het kruis en de doornenkroon moet zo ver mogelijk weggehouden worden van de orthodoxe heiligdommen in het stadscentrum. Deze verklaring gaf de Russische krant Kommersant vrijdag voor het verplaatsen van het optreden naar het zuiden van de stad.


De Amerikaanse zangeres hangt tijdens de show net als Jezus aan het kruis en draagt een doornenkroon.

Rusland is niet het enige land waar commotie is ontstaan over de act. Donderdag veroordeelden katholieken, moslims en joden in Rome de beslissing van Madonna om de nep-kruisiging zondag op te voeren tijdens haar concert in de Italiaanse stad.

Het optreden heeft plaats vlakbij Vaticaanstad.

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Madonna gives $3 million to Malawi orphans
Posted: 03 August 2006 - From contactmusic.com

Pop superstar Madonna has donated at least $3 million (GBP1.7 million) to help orphans in Malawi. The Hung Up singer hopes her joint venture with economic guru Jeffrey Sachs will help feed up to 1,000 children every day.
She tells Time magazine the project is 'a privilege....the ultimate gift of being famous, or a byproduct....I know that, yeah, this is why I am famous.' And Madonna insists having her own children - Lourdes, nine, and Rocco, five - has changed her 'perspective on life', and she is fully committed to doing all she can to help underprivileged youngsters.