|PIC1|The Roman Catholic Church in Brazil has urged revellers gathering for the country’s infamous Carnival celebrations, which begin this weekend, to abstain from reckless sex and too much alcohol as well as violence during the event.

The head of the National Conference of Brazil Bishops, Cardinal Geraldo Majella Agnelo, said “We are not against people having fun but caution them against hurting others or abandoning good customs,” reports Reuters.

Licentious behaviour has been a key feature of past Carnivals, as the event attracts large crowds of people who indulge in a drinking and dancing frenzy throughout the several days of parades and parties.

Agnelo said that although “Carnival is not intrinsically bad”, the use of condoms and “day-after pills” encourage people to indulge in promiscuous behaviour.

|AD|The comments come in response to the handout of 25 million free condoms by the government to promote safe sex during Carnival.

Correio da Bahia newspaper also reported that health officials in northeastern Salvador will provide “next-day pills”.

Conference secretary-general, Odilo Pedro Scherer, stressed: “We don't want a stand-off with the government but the question is whether this is good for society, for Carnival.”

One samba troupe that intended to parade a statue of the Virgin Mary on a float in the Mocidade Carnival was prohibited from doing so by the diocese of Rio de Janeiro, warning that Catholics may be offended by the use of sacred images in such a profane festival.

The float organisers said they would oblige the demands of the archdiocese by covering her over with a veil instead.