Catholic League Blasts Go-Go's Web Site

April 17, 2001 -- The official Web site of the Go-Go's is drawing fire from the Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights for its portrayal of the band members dressed as the Virgin Mary.

The league has previously made headlines for criticizing pieces on display at the Brooklyn Museum of Art in New York, including a painting of Mary that included dung.

The Web site (gogos.com) — set up in promotion of God Bless the Go-Go's, the girl group's first album in 17 years — also includes a section that modifies the words of the Hail Mary prayer into an ode to the band: "Hail Go-Go's, full of beat, The rock is with thee. Blessed art thou among women/ and blessed is the fruit of thine talent, music. Holy Go-Go's, mothers of chick rock, pray for us sinners — Now, and at the hour of thy concerts. Amen."

Catholic League President William Donohue told the New York Daily News that the band was resorting to "cheap ploys" in an attempt to revitalize its popularity. Donohue also criticized the image of a priest with green hair and an earring, saying, "They have decided to rip off Catholic imagery in the hope that this will lure a new audience."

Mindi Sue Meyer, of band label Beyond Music, said the rock act wasn't intending mockery. "These are all religious girls," she told the paper. "They believe that God is giving them a second chance. They feel that they've been blessed."

God Bless the Go-Go's is due out May 15, and the first single, "Unforgiven," was recently released.