Italian ice cream maker Antonio Federici has been ordered by Britain's Advertising Standards Authority to stop running an ad featuring two "sexualized" priests about to kiss "passionately." Last month the company ran ads featuring a pregnant nun (also banned).

The ASA in a statement said the ad, which ran in Look magazine this month, was offensive to Catholics and from now on would be banned from all use. This follows last month's similar ban of another controversial ad (pictured left) showing a pregnant nun and reading "Immaculately conceived." From the ASA:

We considered the portrayal of the two priests in a sexualised manner was likely to be interpreted as mocking the beliefs of Roman Catholics and was therefore likely to cause serious offence to some readers."

Yeah, we could see where these two pictures might offend some Catholics. Still, if you don't like it, turn the page. In its defense, Antonio Federici — which considers itself a Catholic company — said it will continue to produce provocative advertisements because they "reflected the grave troubles they considered affected the Catholic Church." Stay tuned for next month's ad. Given the company's track record, they shouldn't have a hard time coming up with something even more controversial.

[Independent; images]