The billboard was put up for Lent several weeks ago outside St Luke's Presbyterian Church in Remuera.

The sign depicted US presidential candidate Donald Trump standing in front of the crucified Jesus, holding a hammer and saying, "I don't like losers".

The billboard was taken by thieves on the Thursday before Easter.

The theft happened while St Luke's minister Rev. Glynn Cardy was inside the church conducting a funeral service.

Rev. Cardy admitted he isn't sure whether the thieves stole the billboard because they liked it or because they hated it.

"Some people don't like the billboard because they like Donald Trump.

"Some don't like the billboard because it [implies] Jesus was a loser.

"Whereas others, like myself and those here at the community of St Luke, see the cartoon as showing that the values and views of people like Mr Trump are completely at odds with those of Jesus.

"It is disappointing that someone decided to break the law and steal something that was stimulating a meaningful discussion in our community about the meaning of Easter."

St Luke's stated it would be replacing the billboard after Easter Sunday.

The church intends to keep the billboard up as long as the issue of Trump's candidacy remains undecided.

Rev. Cardy was vicar at St Matthew-in-the-City church in Auckland when it put up controversial billboards several years ago.

Sources

• New Zealand Herald
• Stuff
• Image: New Zealand Herald

A witty, provocative billboard from an Ontario Anglican church went viral last tweek after being posted on Reddit.

Toby Manhire, in his column in the New Zealand Listener, though that this is as good an occasion as any to collect the best examples provokative billboards. Have a look

"This is an unprecedented accomplishment for … a group of contemplative nuns, this devoted, hidden prayerful group who do not tour and remain close to their Benedictine rule of life," said Monica Fitzgibbons of De Montfort Music, which produced the album.

Titled Angels and Saints at Ephesus, the album topped a group of classical albums that includes Fifty Shades of Grey: The Classical Album and Downton Abbey: The Essential Collection.

The order of the Benedictines of Mary, Queen of Apostles was founded in 1995 in Pennsylvania, but in 2006 moved to the diocese of Kansas City-St Joseph at the invitation of Bishop Robert Finn.

The sisters sing together eight times a day, chanting the Divine Office in Latin.

The prioress, Mother Cecilia, who also arranged the songs on the album, gave up her position in the horn section of the Columbus Symphony Orchestra, Ohio, to enter religious life.

The sisters' latest album, recorded at their priory, features 17 English and Latin pieces sung a cappella. Their harmonies were described a Washington Times reviewer as "an oasis of serenity in a dissonant world".

Last year the sisters' previous release, entitled Advent at Ephesus, spent five weeks in the top position on Billboard's classical traditional chart, making them the highest-selling traditional classical artist or group for 2012.

Sources:

Religion News Service

Benedictines of Mary, Queen of Apostles

Decca Records

Image: Catholic World Report

The billboard erected at the front of St Matthews in the City today depicts a Facebook photo album with Jesus on the cross as the main image. Directly below, the image is "liked" by Judas Iscariot.

"We decided to make a joke about the propensity of Christians to lay blame," said Reverend Glynn Cardy.