A priest in Italy has refused to set up a traditional nativity scene out of fear of upsetting Muslims.

The nativity scene at the cemetery of Cremona in northern Italy will go ahead but for the first time, it will not be the parish priest who lays it out.

Father Sante Braggiè initially refused to sanction the nativity scene at all, going against the tradition established by his predecessor, Father Oreste Mori.

Father Sante wanted to show "respect towards other religions" and also did not wish to get involved in politics.

Repubblica reports that the priest's primary concern was the fear of offending local Muslims and Hindus. Large numbers of both faiths live in Cremona province. The scene is traditonally set up near a section of the cemetery reserved for Muslim graves.

But the decision has prompted outrage.

Father Mori said he could not believe his successor's decision and condemned it as "renouncing our culture and traditions" and as an "unpardonable" weakness.

Now the row has been resolved by assigning local volunteers to make the crib.

Peter Burgazzi, secretary of the Lega Nord regional political party, said: "I would like to emphasise the importance of the crib as a sign of Christian witness."

Christina Cappellini, regional minister for culture, appealed to Father Sante to apologise to the community. She said Christians would be more offended by his stance than Muslims or atheists would ever be by the nativity scene.