Conservatives have deemed a nativity in an Italian church that shows two mothers of Jesus, instead of Mary and Joseph, as “dangerous”. They want it removed.

Father Vitaliano Della Sal defended the depiction of Jesus’ birth on display at Capocastello di Mercogliano, outside Naples.

Della Sala, a Reuters reporter, said: “I wanted to demonstrate that families are not just traditional anymore.”

“In our parishes, we see more children who are from new types of families, such as children of gay couples, separated and divorced parents, young mothers, and single people.”

A pro-life group called Pro-Vita & Famiglia sent an online petition to the Bishop of Avellino, arguing that the scene legitimized surrogacy and same-sex parenting.

The group described it as “dangerous as well as shameful, blasphemous and un-Christian.”

In the predominantly Catholic country where culture wars have intensified as society has become more secular, the petition has garnered more than 21,000 signatories.

Senator Maurizio Gastparri, of the Forza Italia coalition party that is co-ruling, said the nativity “offends those who have always shown respect and devotion to the Holy Family.”

Della Sala said that his position is similar to Pope Francis’, who last week in a landmark decision allowed priests the blessing of same-sex marriages.

A senator from the Brothers of Italy, the party of Prime Minister Giorgia Melons, has proposed a new bill to prevent school officials from banning Catholic themed activities like Christmas plays or making nativity displays.