The advertising poster and the video version for the event, which takes place in mid-September, "disrespectfully use various religious forms to ridicule the image of the Mother of God", explained the Archbishop of Barcelona, Cardinal Juan José Omella, to the Mayor Jaume Collboni on Tuesday.
The patron saint of the Spanish city is Maria de la Mercè.
In a reaction, the city hall emphasised that the author of the work "was in no way inspired by a religious figure when designing the poster".
However, both the poster and the video by director and set designer Lluís Danés show a baroque altarpiece structure with a female figure dancing in the centre alongside circus figures, which closely resembles the depiction of the Virgin Mary de la Mercè.
She is wearing a religious cloak, a halo and a crown.
Underneath, a pair of red panties is repeatedly revealed as she dances.
In Omella's view, the poster "hurts the feelings of those who honour and respect the importance of the patron saint" of Barcelona.