I emailed with Liz Rosenberg, Madonna’s longtime publicist, seeking comment from the Material Girl about the brouhaha concerning her on-stage crucifixion. Here’s what she (Rosenberg, not, alas, Madonna herself) had to say about the act that has German authorities reportedly threatening prosecution:

There were reports of a huge controversy when Madonna played Rome with her current show and the reality is (as I saw with my own eyes) that there was absolutely no controversy. Madonna performed before 70,000 adoring fans who cheered her arrival on the Crucifix. There were no protests at her hotel, at the Olympic Stadium or anywhere in Rome for that matter – not even the media made a big deal out of it. I frankly do not think that Madonna has any reason to worry about prosecution in Germany. I have not seen any official statement released from the Catholic Church.

Madonna’s appearance on the Crucifix is not at all disrespectful to the Church or Catholicism. In fact, it’s a poignant beautifully moving segment of her show. She is bringing attention to the millions of orphaned children in Africa and pleading for her audience to pay attention to citizens of the world who are in desperate need of help. She should be applauded – not condemned. Don’t believe everything you read in the media.

No doubt, being Madonna’s publicist requires taking the long view and not reacting to every quasi controversy surrounding the singer or her faith. And prosecution for her crucifixion act does seem extreme, shocking as it may be to Christians to see the Kabbalah Queen up on that cross. Here’s hoping, though, that Rosenberg is right, and that Madonna succeeds in bringing that much-needed attention to African orphans and not to the German legal system.