Catholic school hides 'suggestive' statue of saint with child

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."