The animal association Dierenbescherming placed pictures in magazines and newspapers of a mournful Mary clutching a lifeless and bleeding rabbit to her breast. Hare is traditional Christmas fare in the Netherlands.

The group said its campaign aimed to raise public awareness of cruelties associated with the intensive farming of what are naturally wild animals.

"Heavenly Christmas...Don't make it too wild," urges the poster. The Dutch word for game is "wild".

A Christian Democrat member of parliament and farmer, Annie Schreijer-Pierik, was outraged at the mimicking of the traditional Christmas scene of Mary cradling the baby Jesus.

The picture took the right to freedom of expression too far, she told parliament this week: "Hands off my Holy Virgin Mary. Mary with a child at her breast is totally natural. Mary with a dead hare is definitely not."

Dierenbescherming spokesman Niels Dorland told Reuters: "I don't understand what this woman is saying. We are using the Mary figure, a symbol of peace on earth and care for all creatures, to contrast with some of the realities of the festive season and awaken public awareness.