RTE God rape sketch ‘insult to Christians’
Catholic Archbishop Eamon Martin has criticised Irish state broadcaster RTE over a “deeply offensive and blasphemous” clip that ran as part of the station’s NYE Countdown show.
The programme, broadcast on RTE One on New Year’s Eve, featured a sketch by satirical group Waterford Whispers News.
In it, a mocked-up news report featuring former RTE news presenter Aengus Mac Grianna claimed that God had been arrested over “sexual harassment scandals”.
The sketch said: “The five-billion year-old stood accused of forcing himself on a young middle-eastern migrant and allegedly impregnating her against her will.”
A man dressed as God is then led away by gardai.
Mr Martin, the Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland, denounced the sketch on Friday.
He described it as “deeply offensive”, “outrageous” and “insulting to all Catholics and Christians”.
He wrote: “I am shocked that the producer/editor of ‘NYE Countdown Show’ at RTE didn’t realise how deeply offensive was a mocking ‘news report’ accusing God of rape...
“This outrageous clip should be removed immediately & denounced by all people of goodwill.”
RTE declined to comment.
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