Catholic school hides 'suggestive' statue of saint with child

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails

Sign up to our free breaking news emails

Please enter a valid email address

Please enter a valid email address

SIGN UP

I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice

An Australian Catholic school has covered up a statue of a saint and a child over fears it was suggestive.

Blackfriars Priory School in Adelaide took delivery of the artwork only recently but bosses said it should be covered up and altered after a loaf of bread the saint is holding was deemed potentially embarrassing.

Black curtains now surround the statue of St Martin de Porres, of Spain, ahead of its planned alteration by a local sculptor.

Blackfriars principal Simon Cobiac said: "The sculpture is a famous depiction of the tireless work of St Martin de Porres, a Dominican brother, for the poor and downtrodden of the 16th century.

"The two-dimensional concept plans for the statue were viewed and approved by the executive team in May but upon arrival the three-dimensional statue was deemed by the executive to be potentially suggestive.

"As a consequence, the statue was immediately covered and a local sculptor has been commissioned to re-design it."

The statue provoked confusion and ridicule on social media.

One Twitter user said: "Omg. WHO APPROVED THAT DESIGN?!" And another wrote: "Wasted their money.. Buy books..pay teachers more."