Caterina Bonci is accusing Catholic Church authorities of firing her because she is too attractive to teach religion after 14 years on the job. The Church, however, says she was removed from the central Adriatic city of Fano because she is divorced.

Bonci says that she has never hidden her 2000 divorce from Church authorities, dresses down when teaching and defended her right to dress how she likes in her private life, according to Reuters.

"I don't see what it matters if a teacher is good looking or not as long she is qualified," she told Reuters by telephone.

"In school, I dressed normally. In my private life, I have every right to dress any way I want."

She said reports that fathers accompanied their children to religion classes so they could look at her meant little to her as long as the children came to class.

"When a woman is considered too sexy and attractive in a small town it becomes a big thing," she said.