Vilnius, Lithuania - The Catholic Church in Lithuania today condemned beer-making company Kalnapilio-Tauro Grupe for using a picture of Jesus Christ wearing earphones to advertise its products.
"Many believers are hurt and outraged that the Saviour's image... was used for advertising beer," said Archibishop Sigitas Tamkevicius in a statement.
"The use of Catholic symbols for commercial purposes and especially for advertising alcoholic beverages is absolutely unjustifiable," added Tamkevicius, who is chairman of the Lithuanian bishops' conference.
The beer company's televised advertisements show an image of Jesus wearing earphones.
Customers are urged to buy beer and win a compact disk with musical hits.
Some 80 per cent of Lithuanians consider themselves Catholic.