OKLAHOMA CITY (EAP) - The latest craze in Catholic idolism has taken the form of a Jesus lollipop which has been in high demand over the past few weeks in Oklahoma City.

Most of the stores who carry the sugar coated "savior on a stick" are unable to keep them in stock, due in part to large purchases by local Catholic Churches.

The lollipop consists of a candy Jesus on the cross figure, combined with bits of chocolate mixed in. The flavor of the candy changes as one licks through to the center and individual wounds on the wrists and feet of the stick pinned candy savior.

The wounded areas have a strong cinnamon flavor which is supposed to represent hell by giving the savior-sucking believers a burning sensation on their tongues.

"We think this is a great innovation in idolism," said Father Edward Crouton of The Holy Church of Mary in east Oklahoma City during a recent inverview.

"We're thinking of giving up our normal communion ceremonies, and just passing out the Jesus suckers at the door as people arrive to worship."

The Jesus lollipop has drawn ridicule from the more fundamentalist Christian groups, who claim that the candy Jesus is just another idol, and is making a mockery of God.

"It's complete blasphemy," says William Bonner, of Riverside Baptist Church. "Jesus would probably throw a fit if he saw people sucking on him. The Catholics have gone way too far with this one."

"We don't see it that way," says Crouton. "Eating symbolic bits of Jesus's flesh and drinking his symbolic blood aren't any worse than sucking on a candy figure of him."

"If people can't suck on Jesus, then may the Lord have mercy on their souls," says Crouton.