A decades-old painting portraying Jesus rescuing sailors has been returned to a visible location at the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy in New York, reigniting a national debate over religious symbolism in government settings.

According to The Christian Post, the painting’s return comes after Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy advocated for its restoration during an April visit, sparking renewed controversy over religious expression at the federally funded institution.

“Christ on the Water,” a painting created in 1944, illustrates Jesus reaching out to mariners in distress. The artwork had been prominently displayed in Wiley Hall at the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA) in Kings Point, New York, for 76 years.

In 2023, concerns over potential violations of religious freedom emerged when Mikey Weinstein, founder of the Military Religious Freedom Foundation (MRFF), sent a formal request for the painting’s removal. Weinstein argued the piece breached the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment, which bars government institutions from endorsing any religion.

Following the complaint, the academy’s administration under Vice Adm. Joanna M. Nunan first shrouded the painting behind a curtain during official functions. It was later moved to the academy’s chapel basement, a location reportedly prone to flooding.

Sean Duffy calls for painting’s return

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy visited the USMMA on April 3, 2025, as part of its annual Battle Standard Dinner. During the event, Duffy publicly called for the painting’s return to a place of honor, prompting strong applause from midshipmen in attendance.

On August 8, Duffy posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, confirming the artwork had been lifted from the basement and was undergoing restoration. “All glory to God!” his post read, expressing enthusiasm for the painting’s renewed visibility.

Duffy followed up by stating that efforts would continue to restore the painting fully and return it to a “place of prominence” on the academy grounds. He also emphasized that religious expression at the USMMA should be uplifted rather than censored.

Midshipmen reflect on painting’s meaning

Some midshipmen shared that the painting carried deep personal significance during their time at the academy. One midshipman said they often prayed beneath the painting when they were struggling academically or facing difficult personal challenges.

Another midshipman echoed the sentiment, describing it as an important piece of the academy’s cultural fabric and history. Both requested anonymity when speaking with The Christian Post, which first reported the painting’s reappearance on campus.

Jon Brown, a writer for The Christian Post, had weighed in earlier, stating on X in April, "Let's bring Him up!" following Duffy’s remarks at the event. The message was interpreted as support for reinstating the painting publicly.

Reactions highlight national disagreement

Reactions to the painting’s return have been polarized. Weinstein, who initially objected to the painting’s placement in a mandatory-use room at Wiley Hall, fiercely criticized its revival and accused Duffy of promoting sectarian values within a public institution.

In a statement to The Christian Post, Weinstein claimed that reinstalling the painting amounted to forcing fundamentalist Christian ideology on those subject to government authority. He equated the decision to an offensive betrayal of the First Amendment.

Weinstein also rebuked the idea of restoring the painting to its original conference room location, arguing that doing so would be unconstitutional and deeply inappropriate in a diverse federal setting like USMMA.

Criticism from Capitol Hill and Duffy’s response

Representative Jared Huffman (D-Calif.) also questioned the propriety of Duffy’s approach, suggesting that visible religious symbols in mandatory administrative spaces could exclude non-Christian cadets at the federally operated school.

In response, Duffy underscored that his main priority was ensuring better living conditions for midshipmen, including resolving issues such as prolonged lapses in hot water access. “We’re all in this together,” he said when addressing concerns over inclusivity.

Duffy has gone so far as to hang a replica of “Christ on the Water” in his office at the U.S. Department of Transportation in Washington, D.C., symbolizing his support for its message and visual legacy.

Awaiting official academy response

The Christian Post has reached out to USMMA officials for a formal comment on where the painting will be permanently displayed and why it has been reinstated after its removal. As of now, no official statement has been issued.

Calls for transparency regarding the decision have grown as the Academy balances respecting personal beliefs with maintaining adherence to constitutional principles. The final location of the painting remains a focal point in the ongoing discussion.

For now, the artwork that once stood as a quiet backdrop to generations of merchant marine midshipmen has once again found the light—both literally and figuratively—as the debate over its presence continues to stir public discourse nationwide.