Naked Christ upsets flock

Parishioners waved placards labelling Llew Summers' stripped-bare Jesus as 'pornographic' and 'ugly'. Picture / Simon Baker

The creator of a controversial full-frontal nude depiction of Jesus Christ says a protest about his work is a "storm in a thimble".

Outraged parishioners waved placards saying "pornographic" and "ugly" outside Christchurch's Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament on Saturday, protesting about Llew Summer's newly installed Stations of the Cross.

When he arrived and saw the unhappy crowd of about 20, Mr Summers said he was initially nervous.

"But they weren't violent or anything. They just sang hymns and shouted about how dreadfully inappropriate the nudity was."

None of the parishioners recognised Mr Summers when he joined the throng to pose for a photo among the placards.

He was the cause of a similar controversy in Ashburton several years ago when the district council installed a sculpture of a naked couple embracing in the town square.

The church is pleased with the newly acquired works and says the aggrieved parishioners are a small minority. Hundreds of people viewed the sculptures last weekend.

Mr Summers made the 14 stone works several years ago and the church bought them for the cathedral's centenary celebrations.

The Stations of the Cross portray Jesus in the days leading up to his crucifixion. The protesters were upset at the 10th station where Jesus is stripped bare as an act of public humiliation.

Another work showing Jesus on the cross originally showed his genitalia but Mr Summers said he "happily came to a compromise" with the church and added a loin cloth.