Wow, talk about an easy way to offend a huge group of peopl – the new Playboy Mexico features The Virgin Mary on its cover!

The cover shows model Maria Florencia Onori essentially naked other than a cloth which drapes over her head and just barely covers her body. The backlash was particularly strong because the issue came out December 1st in an area that celebrates the Virgin of Guadalupe holiday on the 12th.

However, Playboy Mexico’s publisher denied that it was intended to be either the Virgin of Guadalupe or any other religious person, saying:

“The image is not and never was intended to portray the Virgin of Guadalupe or any other religious figure. The intent was to reflect a Renaissance-like mood on the cover.”

Seriously? Seriously?! Because it doesn’t make me think Renaissance at all. I’m not even Catholic and the Virgin Mary is still the first person who springs to mind when I look at that cover!

Despite their insistence that the model was not meant to portray any religious significance, Playboy Enterprises Inc has issued a formal apology:

“While Playboy Mexico never meant for the cover or images to offend anyone, we recognize that it has created offense.”

I’m not sure that sounds like much of an apology. It sounds more like “Sorry that you feel this way” to me.

I’m not offended by it personally, but I can see how devout Catholic groups would be upset by the cover. What do you think?