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Surprise! Catholic League Won’t Condemn Met Ball Where Rihanna Dressed as Pope

Religious activist has called attendee Madonna a “witch” for dressing up in previous years

| May 8, 2018 @ 10:24 AM Last Updated: May 8, 2018 @ 10:37 AM

Even Bill Donohue and the Catholic League were cool with Rihanna’s Pope-themed dress at the Met Gala.

The president of the Catholic League felt no need to weigh in on the event’s Catholic-inspired theme, Donohue’s communications director told TheWrap on Tuesday.

“The event has the blessings of the Vatican and the archdiocese of New York, so we see no role for the Catholic League,” said the rep on behalf of Donohue.

Also Read: Madonna Performs 'Like a Prayer,' 'Hallelujah' at 2018 Met Gala (Videos)

It was an interesting response, considering the Met Gala produced low-hanging fruit for Mr. Donohue’s trademark scorn. He has blasted Madonna — who performed “Like a Prayer” at the Gala on Monday — in the past, calling her a “witch” for dressing up as a nun in 2005. Donohue also ripped Nicki Minaj, another Gala attendee, in 2012, questioning whether she was “possessed” after her Grammy performance featured a fake exorcism.

Donohue has become one of the most famous American faces of Catholisism, known for speaking out against issues he deems anti-Catholic, including gay marriage.

It turns out if celebrities attend a Vatican-approved event in Catholic garb, it’s fine.

You can check out Rihanna’s sparkling dress and jewel-encrusted frock, among other attendees, in the gallery below.

Met Gala 2018: Arrivals at Fashion's Biggest Night (Photos)

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From JLo to Katy Perry and Rihanna, stars go glam at the gala to end all galas

The stars were out for the Super Bowl of Manhattan social events, the annual Met Gala benefiting the museum's Costume Institute. This year's theme was "Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination."

 
 
 

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