Naked Virgin Mary Upsets Mexican Faithful!

Satire by John W. Lillpop

From Reuters, this fascinating report about how the annual pilgrimage to the Mexico City basilica dedicated to the Virgin of Guadalupe was hijacked by the Mexican version of Playboy magazine:

"LOS ANGELES, Dec 12 (Reuters) - A nude model resembling the Virgin Mary on the cover of the Mexican edition of Playboy magazine, published only days before a major Mexican festival dedicated to the mother of Jesus, prompted the company's U.S. headquarters on Friday to apologize.

"The magazine, which hit newsstands on Dec. 1 as ceremonies began leading to Friday's pilgrimage to the Mexico City shrine of the Virgin of Guadalupe, showed a model wearing nothing but a white cloth over her head and breasts.

"She is standing in front of a stained glass window with the cover line, 'We Love You, Maria' in Spanish. The name of the model is Maria Florencia Onori.

"In a statement, Chicago-based Playboy Enterprises Inc. said the Mexican edition of the magazine is published by a licensee, and the company did not approve or endorse the cover.

"While Playboy Mexico never meant for the cover or images to offend anyone, we recognize that it has created offense, and we as well as Playboy Mexico offer our sincerest apologies," the statement said.

"Raul Sayrols, publisher of Playboy Mexico, said in a statement, "The image is not and never was intended to portray the Virgin of or any other religious figure. The intent was to reflect a Renaissance-like mood on the cover." (1)
Meanwhile, Maria Florencia Onori has reportedly released her Christmas Wish List for public consumption:

All she wants for Christmas is a Bra and a pair of clean panties!



(1)
http://www.reuters.com/article/marketsNews/idUSN1250649220081213