In New Zealand, a controversial billboard outside a church is sparking anger — and even protest:

It was designed to provoke conversation with non-believers.

However, a risqué poster depicting the Virgin Mary lying in bed with Joseph – suggesting they have just had sex – has sparked outrage with Catholics.

The billboard shows Mary with a disappointed look on her face, with a caption underneath stating: ‘Poor Joseph – God was a hard act to follow.’

The huge poster, referencing Mary’s virgin birth of Jesus, has been placed in the centre of Auckland, New Zealand.

It was designed to catch the eye of non-believers, according to the St Matthew-in-the-City Anglican church.

However, Lyndsay Freer, spokesman for the Auckland Catholic Diocese, said for a church to put up a poster which implied the Virgin Mary and Joseph had just had sex was inappropriate.

‘This is disrespectful and offensive to all Christians,’ she said. ‘It’s over the top. Our Christian tradition of 2,000 years is that Mary remains a virgin and that Jesus is the son of God, not Joseph.

Such a poster is inappropriate and disrespectful.’

Protesters have now painted over the faces of Mary and Joesph in outrage.

But the vicar of the St Matthew-in-the-City Anglican church, Archdeacon Glynn Cardy, was unrepentant.

He pointed out that his form of progressive Christianity is distinctive and ‘is one of robust engagement’.

A poll today revealed 47 per cent of people questioned found the advert inspired conversation and 53 per cent regarding it as offensive.

You can see the billboard for yourself at this link.