Irish broadcaster warned after comedy sketch

Irish broadcaster RTE has been told to be more careful not to offend Catholics after attracting complaints over a comedy sketch.

Priest Raymond Hannon brought an official protest to regulator BAI against a scene in which Oliver Callan impersonated Olympic boxer Katie Taylor – claiming it was sacrilegious.

Watchdogs ruled that the skit on the New Year’s Eve Countdown Concert on RTÉ Radio 1 fell short of blasphemy, but told the broadcaster to be more wary of religious sensibilities.

In the programme, Callan mocked born-again Christian Taylor’s faith, which she frequently mentions in interviews.

In character, he thanked God and said: ‘There was a lot of talk about how I tested positive for performance-enhancing prayers, then there was the whole business about the wine being found in me urine sample.

‘But thank God, with the help of God, it turned out to be the blood of Christ so I’ll be fine.’

In their ruling, the BAI said: “The trans-substantiation of bread and wine into the body and blood of Jesus is considered a central tenet of religious belief for Irish Catholics.

‘Therefore, particular care is required where it is referred to in a programming other than in a religious context.

‘For this reason... some listeners may have found the item offensive and a greater sensitivity to this source of offence than that shown in this item would have been desirable.’

The BAI added that while much of the feature could be ‘considered as being in poor taste’ they felt Callan was targeting Katie rather than the Catholic faith.

Published: 26 Jul 2013