Wichita ? Wichita public school officials, angered by the depiction of a Catholic clergyman in a sculpture at Washburn University, have banned visits from the Topeka school’s recruiters.

Following the lead of the city’s Catholic high schools, the Wichita Board of Education voted 4-3 Monday night to permit Washburn recruiters to return only after the sculpture, “Holier Than Thou,” is removed from the university’s campus.

“Obviously this is something that has offended a large number of people of the Catholic faith,” said board member Chip Gramke, who proposed the ban.

Gramke, who is not Catholic, said if the statue had been of a Jewish rabbi or Muslim cleric, or depicted a black man in a negative light, it would have been widely opposed.

“I would like us to send a message that we stand with our neighbors who happen to be Catholic,” Gramke said.

Supt. Winston Brooks, who is Catholic, said he did not support the action.

The sculpture is of a grimacing clergyman wearing a miter, which some critics have said resembles a penis. They also have complained about the subject’s facial expression and an accompanying inscription.

Washburn officials have said the sculpture, which is 10 years old, was not meant to attack Catholics. The sculpture was installed on the Washburn campus in September as part of a juried art show. It is funded with private gifts and scheduled to remain on display until the summer.

Washburn issued a statement Tuesday calling the board’s action “unfortunate.”

“This action will adversely affect students by limiting their opportunities to fully evaluate all options for continuing their education,” the statement said.

“We will maintain an open dialogue with the Wichita Board of Education and work quickly to resolve this issue and do our best to ensure this does not adversely impact any student.”

'Holier than Thou'