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A Catholic priest has sparked outrage by bizarrely comparing gay sex to a bagel in the ear.

Reverend John Riccardo was speaking at a conference called 'Welcoming and Accompanying Our Brothers and Sisters with Same-Sex Attraction' in Michigan.

The gathering aimed to promote celibacy amongst Catholics with same sex-sex attraction.

The cleric told the attendees how he often explains gay sex to junior high students, the Advocate reports.

He said he tells them: "What if I just rip open a bagel, I take it, and I cram it in my ear. What would you say?”

(Image: Getty)

He added that when they respond “That doesn’t go there,” he says, “Exactly" and that doing so “will ruin your ear canal.”

But despite his views, he insisted that God and the church do not hate gay people.

Detroit Archbishop Allen Vigneron, who delivered the closing Mass for the conference said “It’s not being a bigot” to take a stand against same-sex relations.

(Image: Getty)

He praised those who are helping gays and lesbians “grow in chaste continence ... share in the chastity of Jesus Christ.”

But the conference did not go down well with some Catholics including the group 'Fortunate Families'-a Detroit based organisation that represents LGBT Catholics and their family members.

Member Tom Nelson said from a protest outside the controversial event: “It’s medieval times all over again. ... If God created people gay, then gay sex seems to be a natural thing.”