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This sculpture of a homeless Jesus sleeping on a bench was unveiled outside St Ann's church in Manchester after a service of dedication by the bishop of Manchester in April 2018.

The near life-size sculpture by Timothy Schmalz depicts a figure lying on a bench, with its pierced feet indicating it is Jesus. It is designed to highlight the problem of homelessness both in the city and globally. The sculpture references the biblical parable of the sheep and goats and includes a plaque reading: “Jesus said, I was hungry and you gave me food.” Churches across Greater Manchester are active in caring for homeless people and St Ann's Church is working on a pilot project called ‘Morning Hours’ in which a warm space, hot drinks and toast are provided to rough sleepers early in the morning before any of the city's day centres open. The piece was paid for by an anonymous donor and St Ann’s has raised the funds to put it in place.

Similar sculptures have been installed in cities around the world, but Manchester’s is the first in England. In contrast to the attitude shown in Manchester, a plan to install one of Schmalz's Homeless Jesus figures outside Methodist Central Hall Westminster was blocked by Westminster Council.
Link Christian Today