“Banksy unveils church abuse work”

In a statement, Banksy said: “I’m never sure who deserves to be put on a pedestal or crushed under one.”

“The statue? I guess you could call it a Christmas present. At this time of year it’s easy to forget the true meaning of Christianity - the lies, the corruption, the abuse.”

Anthea Jarvis, an art expert at Liverpool’s Catholic Metropolitan Cathedral, said: “I don’t find the work of art at all offensive, but I do find that statement offensive.

“Lies and corruption are not exclusive to the church, they’re exclusive to mankind generally I’m afraid.