From today’s Rush & Molloy column on the New York Daily News:

Cross-cultural ire at Madonna

Who says Madonna doesn’t bring people together?

Catholic, Muslim and Jewish leaders have united to denounce the mock crucifixion she plans to stage when her tour hits Rome Sunday.

You know – ’cause we told you in April – that the pop deity descends during her show on a glittering crucifix while wearing a fake crown of thorns.

The act has already ticked off Catholics in the U.S. Now, Ersilio Cardinal Tonino, reportedly speaking on behalf of Pope Benedict XVI, declares: “This time the limits have really been pushed too far. This concert is a blasphemous challenge to the faith and a profanation of the cross. She should be excommunicated. To crucify herself during the concert in the city of Popes and martyrs is an act of open hostility.”

Mario Scialoja, head of Italy’s Muslim League, concurs: “Her idea is in the worst taste, and she’d do better to go home.” Riccardo Pacifici, vice president of the Roman Jewish community, agrees she should have snuffed the inflammatory routine.

Word is NBC urged her to cut the crucifixion from her concert to be broadcast in November. But it’s staying. “She felt like that was a cornerstone of the show,” said NBC exec Kevin Reilly. “We viewed it and didn’t see it as being inappropriate.”

Liz Rosenberg, mouthpiece for the ecumenical hate object, tells us:

“I think the Pope would enjoy the show and would applaud her performance.