No more navel gazing in church,Italian priest says

ROME, June 5 (Reuters) An Italian priest is resorting to some innovative theology to rid his church of young women's bare midriffs.

''God knew what your navel looked like even before you were born, so there is no need to expose it in church,'' commands a sign at the entrance to the church in Cinisello Balsamo.

Guards at major churches in Italy routinely keep out people wearing skimpy attire. But Father Felice says he resorted to the signs because his parish cannot afford guards to keep out the low-cut jeans and high-cut tops, newspapers reported today.

Reuters KD VV1556