Animal rights activist group PETA Australia has launched a campaign urging Christians to go vegan in time for Easter.

The group has placed an advertisement with religious newspaper The Catholic Weekly, showing a young pig aboard a truck bound for the abattoir.

Alongside the image sits the caption: "Why Hast Thou Forsaken Me? For Christ's Sake, Go Vegan."

PETA campaign co-ordinator Claire Fryer argued Jesus asked his followers to exercise mercy, insisting animals slaughtered to feed humans were in need of such compassion.

"Jesus would be appalled to witness the meat, egg and dairy industries' harmful effects on animals, human health and the Earth," Ms Fryer said.

"Easter is about rebirth, so it's the perfect time to go vegan."