Erect statue has British gallery in court

NEWCASTLE, England, July 27 (UPI) -- A statue portraying Jesus Christ in a state of sexual arousal should not be displayed at a prominent art gallery in Britain, prosecutors contend.

Government prosecutors, in taking action against the Baltic Cent re for Contemporary Art in the British town of Gates head, maintain the statue by Chinese-born artist Terence Koh violates decency laws and Section 5 of the Public Order Act 1986, the Daily Mail reported Saturday. A hearing will be held in September, the British newspaper said.

The public order section details offenses caused by an individual's actions or decisions that cause harassment, alarm or distress in another individual.

The Rev. Christopher Warren, who serves at the Roman Catholic cathedral of St Mary's in nearby Newcastle, said the statue does cause stress for Catholics.

"For Christians the image of Jesus is very special and to interpret it in a sexualized way is an affront to what we hold dear," Warren said.

The Mail said the statue, which could result in a nearly $10,000 fine and six months in prison for any convicted parties, is part of Koh's new show dedicated to famed characters all presented with erections.