Conservatives in Italy slam 'blasphemous' same-sex nativity scene

A church nativity scene in Italy that features two mothers and the baby Jesus instead of the traditional Mary and Joseph has sparked anger among conservative Catholics in the country. 

The priest responsible for the same-sex nativity scene defended it amid the outrage. 

"I wanted to show with this scene that families are no longer just the traditional ones," Father Vitaliano Della Sala said in an interview with Reuters.

"In our parishes we see more and more children from the new types of families that exist and are part of our society, children of separated and divorced people, gay couples, single people, young mothers," he added.

Father Della Sala is known in Italy for being sympathetic with LGBT and left-wing causes, according to the outlet. He says his views on the matter are in line with those of Pope Francis, who just this week announced that priests could bless same-sex couples. 

A conservative group in Italy known as "The Pro-Vita & Famiglia" (Pro-life and family) has called the display "shameful" and "blasphemous."

The group also launched a petition for the bishop of Avellino to intervene, arguing the display contradicted the church's teachings. As of now, the petition has over 21,000 signatures.

Italian Sen. Maurizio Gasparri has come out and said the LGBT creche "offends all those who always had respect and devotion for the Holy Family."