The Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland has called on RTÉ to remove what he described as “deeply offensive and blasphemous clip”, which was broadcast as part of a New Year’s Eve countdown programme.
In a tweet, Archbishop Eamon Martin said he was “shocked” that the programme’s producer or editor “didn’t realise how deeply offensive was a mocking ‘news report’ accusing God of rape & reporting his imprisonment”.
He continued: “To broadcast such a deeply offensive and blasphemous clip about God & our Blessed Mother Mary during the Christmas season on ‘NYE Countdown Show’ on @RTE, @RTEOne & on Eve of the Solemn Feast of Mary, Mother of God is insulting to all Catholics and Christians”.
In a ‘Waterford Whispers’ news report, presented by former RTÉ News presenter Aengus MacGrianna, God is described as being “the latest figure to be implicated in ongoing sexual harassment scandals”.