ZOO magazine has insulted Australia's first saint, Mary MacKillop, with a tacky "tribute" featuring a lingerie model wearing a nun's habit.

Under the headline "St Mary Mac and her holy rack", the six-page article features a series of tasteless poses with puerile jokes.

One of the photographs shows the model on all fours with the caption: "She's begging for it ... so she can give it to the poor!"

The Catholic Archdiocese of Sydney described the Zoo spread as "disgusting".

"Mary MacKillop was an independent and progressive woman who devoted her life to serving the poor, educating children and helping those in need," the Archdiocese said in a written statement.

"The Zoo Weekly's Mary MacKillop spread is not only an insult to her legacy, but it is also demeaning to all Australian women.

"Zoo magazine would apparently prefer to objectify a woman rather than focus on her contribution to society."

Tacky or tasteful? Tell us what you think of Zoo Weekly's Mary MacKillop "tribute" below.

Originally published as Holy storm over Zoo's take on Mary