RTÉ apologizes for sketch as archbishop describes simulated broadcast accusing God of rape as ‘outrageous’ and ‘blasphemous’

Updated 7 minutes ago

RTÉ HAS APOLOGIZED for any offense that may have been caused by the broadcast of a comedy skit that showed God being arrested for rape.

In a statement issued this afternoon, RTÉ acknowledged that some viewers were offended by the Waterford Whispers sketch.

So far there have been roughly 600 complaints about the sketch since it aired on New Year’s Eve.

“RTÉ recognizes that matters that may offend naturally differ from person to person, within comedy and satire in particular.

“Having reviewed the comments and complaints received thus far, RTÉ wishes to apologize to those who were offended by the segment.”

The clip was aired as part of RTÉ One’s NYE ​​Countdown Show, aired Thursday night.

In a one-year-under-review mock newsletter, portrayed as a broadcast from the satirical website Waterford Whispers News, former RTÉ announcer Aengus MacGrianna reads a report on a video of a gardaí-led white robed man from a courtroom .

“A shocking revelation this year,” says MacGrianna’s, “God became the latest figure to be implicated in the ongoing sexual harassment scandal.

The five-billion-year-old was accused of forcing himself on a young migrant from the Middle East and allegedly getting her pregnant against her will before being sentenced to two years in prison, with the last 24 months suspended.

“Following the news, film producer Harvey Weinstein requested a new trial in Ireland.”

Eamon Martin, Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of all Ireland, described the clip as “blasphemous.”

“I’m surprised ‘NYE Countdown Show’ producer / editor @RTE @RTEOne didn’t realize how deeply offensive a mocking ‘news report’ was accusing God of rape and reporting on her imprisonment,” he tweeted Martin last night.

This scandalous clip should be immediately removed and reported by all people of good will.

“Broadcasting such a deeply offensive and blasphemous clip about God and Our Blessed Mother Mary during the holiday season on ‘NYE Countdown Show’ on @RTE, @RTEOne and on the eve of the Solemn Feast of Mary, Mother of God is an insult to all Catholics and Christians “.

The clip is still available in RTÉ Player.

Updated by Tadgh McNally