Croatian police mull banning concert of shock rocker Manson

Zabreb, Croatia - Croatian police were mulling whether to ban a concert by shock rocker Marilyn Manson in the coastal town of Pula, following protests from the influential Catholic church and parents worried that he is promoting satanism.

"Police must check all the facts before reaching the final decision. We have recieved a number of complaints from parents citing Manson's statements and voicing their discontent over the concert," police spokesman Robert Pavlekovic told AFP on Friday.

He said that the performance would be cancelled if police conclude that is poses a significant threat to public safety and morals.

Last week several Catholic priests even offered compensation in a letter to the city's mayor if the concert, scheduled in the northern town's Roman amphitheatre on Monday, is banned.

"You should know that Manson fans turn the site of his concerts into Sodom and Gomorrah," the letter said.

But, another Croatian priest took Manson's defence. Father Ante Bobas, who runs his own heavy metal band, said those who attack the rock star should familiarize themselves with his work first.