Plans by the mayor of a major Croatian city to build the world’s biggest statue of Jesus on a nearby hill have been heavily criticised by many in the staunchly Catholic country, with thousands opposing it on social networks.
Mayor Zeljko Kerum said last week he intended to build a 39-metre high statue of Christ, around 3 metres bigger than the world's current largest in Swiebodzin, western Poland.
"It would be a tourist attraction, a new shrine . . . We are however a Catholic town and a Catholic country," said Kerum.
"The project would be financed by donors and the city would not have to give a single kuna for it," he added.
However the idea has sparked vociferous debate with many accusing the multi-millionaire of grandstanding to deflect attention away from his political failings.
A Facebook page entitled: "Kerum, in Jesus' name, don't build Jesus" attracted the attention of almost 4,000 people with many arguing the money could be better spent on windmills or solar panels.
"Mr Kerum, sins cannot be redeemed in such a way," read one posted in an apparent reference to Kerum's private life.
Others insisted this was simply not the right place for such a statue.
"If I want to see the statue of Jesus I will go to a church and pray to Him," posted Marko Gundic.
Almost 88 per cent of Croatia’s population of 4.4 million are Roman Catholics.