PETA — the group known for its provocative ads touting the need to treat animals ethically — might want to consider its own advertising ethics.

The latest ads are an assault on Christianity in general, and Catholics in particular:

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals has done it again with their “Be An Angel For Animals” campaign that features celebs as angels. Coming so close to Christmas, the latest ad featuring Playboy’s Joanna Krupa naked but hidden behind a well-placed holy cross has sent the Catholic League into battle mode.

League President Bill Donohue sent out a release saying that PETA has “launched a Christmas campaign that exploits Christian symbols. It features Playboy queen Joanna Krupa: before Thanksgiving it showed a side angle of her naked from the waist up holding a dog and a rosary; she is adorned with angel wings and a halo. The inscription below reads, “Be an Angel for Animals: ALWAYS ADOPT. NEVER BUY.”

In his note, which referred to previous stories about animals dying in PETA’s care, he added, “PETA is a fraud. It also has a long and disgraceful record of exploiting Christian and Jewish themes to hawk its ugly services. Those who support this organization sorely need a reality check. They also need a course in Ethics 101.”

Through PETA, Krupa emailed this to us: “It’s understandable that the Catholic League is wary of another sex scandal, but the sex we’re talking about pertains to dogs and cats. As a practicing Catholic, I am shocked that the Catholic League is speaking out against my PETA ads, which I am very proud of. “

You can read the rest of Krupa’s statement at the link.

And you can also visit here to see what all the fuss is about.