RTE IS facing an investigation over a controversial comedy sketch that aired on New Year’s Eve in which God was depicted as a rapist.
The spoof Waterford Whispers news report, which was presented by Aengus Mac Grianna, sparked a furious reaction from the Catholic Church.
In the clip, a man in a white robe is led to court while Mac Grianna, in voiceover, explains: “In another shocking revelation this year, God became the latest figure to be implicated in ongoing sexual harassment scandals.
“The five-billion-year-old stood accused of forcing himself on a young middle-eastern migrant and allegedly impregnating her against her will.
“He was sentenced to two years in prison with the last 24 months suspended.”
Though intended as joke, the sketch sparked an angry response from the head of the Catholic Church in Ireland Archbishop Eamon Martin who described it as “deeply offensive”.
“To broadcast such a deeply offensive and blasphemous clip about God and Our Blessed Mother Mary during the Christmas season is insulting to all Catholics and Christians.”
Now a member of the Dáil Communications Committee has announced they intend to question RTÉ’s director general Dee Forbes about the sketch.
RTÉ apologised for the sketch over the weekend, however there are growing calls for Forbes to provide an explanation for the sketch.
Brendan Griffin, a member of the Communications Committee, intends speak to the director general after his seven-year-old son asked: ‘What was God arrested for?’
Griffin said: “In our house, two nights a year the family stay up late. That is the Toy Show and New Year’s Eve.
“Surely someone in RTÉ should have realised a great many more families than usual would be watching the show and proofed it appropriately.”
