Topeka ? A sculpture depicting a Catholic clergyman in a cap bearing resemblance to a penis has drawn angry criticism from people who want it removed from the Washburn University campus.

The piece called “Holier Than Thou” is the work of Jerry Boyle, of Longmont, Colo. It depicts the upper body of a heavy-set man with a contorted face, wearing a tall ecclesiastical cap known as a miter. The caps, with peaks in front and back, are worn by bishops, cardinals and the Pope for ceremonial occasions.

The base of the sculpture bears the following inscription: “The artist says, I was brought up Catholic. I remember being 7 and going into the dark confessional booth for the first time. I knelt down, and my face was only inches from the thin screen that separated me and the one who had the power to condemn me for my evil ways. I was scared to death, for on the other side of that screen was the person you see before you.”

John Cooney, a Catholic from St. Marys, said Tuesday he was deeply offended by the sculpture, calling it “Catholic-bashing at its worst.”

A Washburn official said the university planned to keep the sculpture in place near the student union, and likely would organize events to promote discussion about it.

Jerry Boyle is glad his work is attracting attention.

“I like controversy,” he said. “For a piece of art, if people want to laugh with it, laugh at it or spit on it, that’s OK. I just don’t like them to walk by it.”

People walking past the sculpture Tuesday differed on whether it was offensive. One young woman said she hadn’t noticed the hat’s resemblance to a penis until someone else mentioned it.

Cooney who described the clergyman as “evil-looking,” agreed that the sexual image portrayed was “very subtle.” But he said the sculpture insulted members of the Catholic church, which has undergone a scandal involving child-molesting priests.

“I think all Catholics should be outraged,” he said.

David Monical, Washburn’s executive director of university relations, said no tax money supported the sculpture and four others put on display during the past two weeks as part of an exhibition financed by private donations.

Boyle said he created the sculpture as a “humorous piece” that was “not intended to be mean-spirited,” and that he hoped people would form their own opinions about its meaning.

“Art’s subjective, that’s why it makes the world go around,” he said. “Everybody sees something different.”