The BVM Does Playboy?

The Mexican version of Playboy is causing some ire over its current cover.

Playboy, based in Chicago, has offered its "sincerest apologizes" for the newest issue of its Mexican edition, which seems to poke irreverent (some would say lewd) fun at the Virgin Mary. The magazine's cover features a model clad (barely) in a white cloth, in front of a stained glass window. The headline, "Te adoramos, Maria," means in English, "We love you Mary," or "We love you, Maria." (The model is Maria Florencia Onori.)

The magazine hit the stands on Dec. 1 -- seven days before the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, a holy day of obligation in the Catholic Church; and 11 days before an even bigger holiday in Mexico, the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, commemorating the supposed appearance of the Virgin to a Mexican peasant, Juan Diego, in 1531.

In its apology, Playboy said the Mexican edition of the magazine is published by a licensee, and that the parent company did not approve the cover. "While Playboy Mexico never meant for the cover or images to offend anyone, we recognize that it has created offense, and we as well as Playboy Mexico offer our sincerest apologies," the company said. Raul Sayrols, publisher of Playboy Mexico, said: "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.

A reader sends us this clip of Miami-based priest Father Cutie (no, really) discussing the situation with CNN's Rick Sanchez.