Geelong, April 5, 2010-- Police in Australia’s Geelong have shut down the graphic re-enactment of crucifixion of Jesus Christ saying it was too violent for public viewing.

The act featured two women mourners in black and a semi-naked “Jesus” covered in fake blood “crucified” on a large wooden cross. It left many children sobbing in distress, The Herald Sun reported.

The organizers of the act, Heaven on Earth church in Norlane, said it would tone down the event next year.

A Geelong police spokesman said it was shutdown for breaching peace as passersby were concerned about the re-enactment, particularly by the man posing as Jesus covered in blood.

“Kids were particularly upset and crying,” he said.

“If they want to do that sort of thing they are quite welcome to do it in a place where it’s not going to disturb anyone and where people are going there for that specific reason and know what they are getting themselves into,” he said.

Not agreeing with the police, pastor Pastor Sarah Kenneally said police compromised freedom of religion by shutting down the act as she saw no distressed children.

“When the police stopped it, I looked behind me and there were about eight children … watching it and none of them looked distressed,” she said.

“I think it was pretty sad that a Christian group couldn’t express what Easter was truly about for one hour - it wasn’t like we were trying to take over the city or tell everyone they were going to hell,” she said.