Another type of calendar controversy

To half my friends I am saying Merry Christmas and to the other half Christ is Baptized! I'm actually a little happy to step out of the Old/New Calendar debate for a moment and read about a completely different sort of calendar commotion. I guess once you agree on the dates you can start debating the content of the illustrations.

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They thought this was a good idea?

(guardian.co.uk) - A Catholic youth group has shocked its religious superiors in Mallorca by producing a calendar that features a nude version of the passion of Christ.

The wrath of the bishop of Mallorca has fallen on the Davallament youth group from the Spanish island's town of Sant Joan after they decided to make the stripped-down version of the Easter week story to raise funds.

The calendar features a semi-naked trio of young men raising the cross on which Jesus will be crucified and a Last Supper whose protagonists wear only crotch-hugging underwear. In other shots the protagonists are entirely naked, covering their genitalia with plumed roman helmets (above).

"It is a daring and original idea that emerged because we are young and wanted to do something new," a group member, Antoni Company, told Ultima Hora newspaper.

The bishopric of Mallorca, however, has criticised them for shocking their more traditional elders. "It turns Easter week into something banal," the bishopric said in a stern written admonition. "It does not respect Christian symbols and is insensitive to Catholic feelings."

The calendar marks the 20th anniversary of the Davallament Youth Association, one of whose principal tasks is to act out the passion of Christ in a fully-clothed version every Easter.

"It all came from the need to celebrate our 20th anniversary," said Pep Mas, the group's co-ordinator. "The actors are the same people who take part in the Easter week representation, and the pictures are shot in the same places. I don't think, after all these years, that anyone can doubt our dedication."

The town's mayor, Joan Magro, approves. "The calender is very original," he said. "The pictures are artistic and the models show what they have."

The town's priest, Joan Marti, refused to be drawn. "They are grown up enough to know what they are doing and what it all means," he said.