The Catholic Church in Ireland is attempting to have a new film starring a lesbian nun banned from being released because it 'offends God.'
The film Benedetta, directed by Paul Verhoeven of 'Basic Instinct' and produced by Mubi, will be released on April 15th, also known as Good Friday.
The film is based on a true story about a real-life 17th-century woman who had an affair with another nun in her convent before the church discovers their relationship.
Stigmata — the miraculous apparition of Jesus Christ's wounds on a person's body – appear to be present in the film.
Director Paul based his picture on the 1986 non-fiction book Immodest Acts: The Life of a Lesbian Nun in Renaissance Italy, which was loosely based on a factual incident.
The film's Easter release date, along with the subject matter, meant that Benedetta was bound to stir controversy among devout Christians who think that homosexuality is a sin.
A Catholic activist group is requesting that the film be pulled from theatres just days before its debut.
The Irish Society for Christian Civilisation (ISFCC) wants to 'STOP MUBI's and Verhoeven's Benedetta Movie (sic),' calling it a "clever smut attack on the Holy Catholic Church."
The petition calls the video "much praised, blasphemous, and unclean," and defines it as "a stunning attack on Good Friday... which terribly insults Our Lady and her Son."
'I strongly oppose and condemn your release and marketing of Paul Verhoeven's picture Benedetta,' the petition says, addressing Mubi directly.
'It offends God, as well as millions of Catholics around the world.'
The ISFCC invited Catholics to join the petition, which has received more than 13,000 signatures so far.
'Several Jesus-on-nun intense "make outs," a figurine of Mary Most Holy used as a sex-toy (and) voyeuristic lesbian nuns' "pornography," according to the ISFCC.'
The ISFCC urged filmmakers to "promote virtue rather than sin."
According to sources, the film has already been banned in Singapore, although it has received positive reviews in the West.