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02nd Jan 2021

RTÉ apologises for NYE sketch about the Catholic Church

Rudi Kinsella

catholic church sketch

The comedy sketch saw God implicated in “ongoing sexual harassment scandals”.

RTÉ has apologised for a comedy sketch about the Catholic Church, which aired on New Year’s Eve.

In what was a Waterford Whispers satirical 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”.

RTÉ has since apologised for the skit, stating that it has received “around 600 complaints” so far.

The statement released by the broadcaster reads: “RTÉ recognises that matters which can cause offence naturally differ from person to person, within comedy and satire in particular.

“Having reviewed the feedback and complaints received up to this point, RTÉ wishes to apologise to those who were offended by the segment.

“The formal complaints received by RTÉ are being entered into our complaints system and will be responded to in accordance with the relevant statutory process.”

Archbishop Eamon Martin took to Twitter to complain about the sketch which he said “accuses God of rape”.

He said: “This outrageous clip should be removed immediately and denounced by all people of goodwill.”

At the time of writing, the show is still available to view on the broadcaster’s online streaming service.

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