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RTÉ has apologised for offence caused by a mock news report which made allegations that God committed rape.
Catholic Archbishop Eamon Martin hit out at the New Year s Countdown Show clip, calling it deeply offensive .
The broadcaster apologised to anyone who was offended by the sketch, and says formal complaints will be accepted and responded to within the relevant process.
It said in a statement that around 600 complaints have been received so far.
The comedy clip from Waterford Whispers contains a person dressed as a Garda escorting a handcuffed bearded man dressed in white robes out of the Court House in Waterford.
RTÉ has apologised after a number of people complained over a Waterford Whispers sketch segment in the New Year's Eve countdown programme, which was broadcast on RTÉ One television.
State broadcaster RTE has issued an apology over a sketch that ran as part of the station’s NYE Countdown Show.
The broadcaster said it acknowledged that viewers were offended by the clip, which received 600 complaints and faced criticism from Archbishop Eamon Martin, who said it was “deeply offensive and blasphemous”.
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”.
1. I am shocked that producer/editor of NYE Countdown Show @RTE@RTEOne didnât realise how deeply offensive was a mocking news report accusing God of rape & reporting his imprisonment. This outrageous clip should be removed immediately & denounced by all people of goodwill. Eamon Martin (@ArchbishopEamon) January 1, 2021
Image source: RTE
RTE, the Irish national broadcaster, has been forced to address what was described as utterly sick, perverse, degrading and anti-Catholic.
What was described as truly tasteless, crude and even sick, RTE was slammed for broadcasting an outrageous clip on New Year’s Eve of God allegedly sexually harassing Our Lady.
RTE received more than 600 complaints over the sick broadcast with the BAI (Broadcasting Authority of Ireland) also receiving many complaints.
Sexual abuse victims denounced the clip citing how serious of subject RTE have mocked that they’ve had to personally endure.
The vast majority of elderly people were sitting at home on New Year’s Eve night, more than likely watching what RTE had produced. These same people have not been able to attend Mass for much of the year, something that’s very dear to them on a personal level.