Kinky photos of a half-naked Britney Spears perched on a priest's lap and leaning seductively against a church confessional sparked outrage among Catholic leaders.

At least one said the saucy snapshots, which grace the singer's thumping new dance album, "Blackout," are a "bottom of the barrel" stunt from a girl who really could use some quality time spent repenting sins in a wooden cubicle.

"This is all the puzzle pieces coming together. This girl is crashing," said Bill Donohue, president of the New York-based Catholic League. "She's not even allowed to bring up her own kids because she's not responsible enough. Now we see she can't even entertain."

Can 'Blackout' Beat Britney's Bad Press?

By SANDY COHEN
AP Entertainment Writer

LOS ANGELES (AP) -- On her new CD, "Blackout," Britney Spears acknowledges that 2007 hasn't been a charmed year. "I'm Mrs. Bad Media Karma, another day another drama," the 25-year-old pop princess croons to a thumping dance groove on the song "Piece of Me."

"Another day, another debacle" might have been a more apropos lyric. In just a year's time, Spears has become the ultimate case study for the "When Celebs Go Bad" file. She's been an out-of-control party girl, landed in rehab, lost temporary custody of her two young sons, given a horrendous performance on live TV and gotten herself arrested.

But despite her litany of woes, "Blackout," due out Tuesday, may be the one positive note in an otherwise dreadful year. So far, it's earned her a Top 10 single (with "Gimme More") and some of the best reviews she's had in ages.