Mexican Playboy December 2008 Issue

Playboy has always been considered the classier of nudie magazines, however this month Mexican Playboy's December 2008 issue has raised a major controversy for thousands of catholics, as well as catholic officials in Mexico.

The reason?

Well according to many, the nude Mexican model Maria Florencia Onori resembles the Virgin Mary standing in front of a stained-glass window with the cover line �We Adore You, Mary� in Spanish.

The issue was published Dec. 1, a day before the traditional Day of the Virgin of Guadalupe, patroness of Mexico.

Reuters reports that Chicago-based Playboy Enterprises Inc. says the Mexican edition of the magazine is published by a licensee and the company did not approve or endorse 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,� a company statement said.

Raul Sayrols, publisher of Playboy Mexico, said in a statement: �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.�

Well, Playboy already apologized for the image, and likely this issue alone will sell more copy than any other issue has. Don't you think so?