Two senior church leaders in Seville, Spain, have stepped down following public outrage over a controversial restoration of a Virgin Mary statue.

The Virgin of La Macarena, housed at the Basilica de Santa María de la Esperanza Macarena, was returned to worship last Friday after months of restoration.

Worshippers quickly expressed dismay at the statue’s altered appearance, including changed facial features, a new skin tone, and exaggerated eyelashes, as reported by The Metro.

One worshipper said, “Her facial expression has completely changed. It pains me deeply to say it, but she looks like a poor copy of the original.”

In response to the growing criticism, the Brotherhood of the Macarena issued a statement apologizing for the “moral and devotional damage” caused.

The church has since been closed while heritage experts assess the statue’s condition.

Professor Francisco Arquillo, who led the restoration, has been criticized for failing to respond once complaints were raised.

Restoration expert Ana Cordero said, “Eyelashes are what give expressiveness to a devotional face, and her expression had changed.”