Some worshipers at a Catholic church in Oklahoma are outraged over a crucifix hanging above the main altar that they say shows an image of genitalia on Jesus, The Oklahoman reports.

Rev. Philip Seeton, pastor of St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church in Warr Acres, says some church members have left the parish and others who don't like it have stayed, the newspaper reports.

See a photo of the controversial crucifix here.

While some viewers see as a large penis covering Jesus' abdominal area, Seeton tells The Oklahoman that the controversial portion of the 10-feet-tall crucifix is meant to be Jesus' abdomen "showing distension" — not a penis.

He says a local iconography artist designed the crucifix following "specific rules of iconography and church art" and that he has no plans to remove it.

Monsignor Edward Weisenburger of the Oklahoma City Archdiocese doesn't have a problem with the crucifix either, the paper says.

The Oklahoman says it was alerted to the controversy by "numerous" current and former church parishioners who expressed outrage over what many called a "pornographic" depiction of Jesus.

"I think it's an embarrassment to our Lord," parishioner Rita Cook, who has attended the church for 35 years, tells the paper. "I think it's an embarrassment to our parishioners. And I think it's an embarrassment to our visitors."

(Posted by Doug Stanglin)