RTE has apologised after a New Year's Eve sketch about God was condemned by the Catholic Church and received over 600 complaints.
The segment was broadcast on the New Year's Eve special and showed "God" being led away by Gardai for "sexual harassment" offences.
In a statement this afternoon, the national broadcaster said: "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."
The New Year’s Eve Countdown Show screened the clip from satirical site Waterford Whispers, where a man in a white robe is led to court.
Ex-broadcaster Aengus Mac Grianna tells viewers: “In another shocking revelation this year, God became the latest figure to be implicated in ongoing sexual harrassment 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.”
It was met with fury online with the head of the Catholic Church in Ireland Archbishop Eamon Martin slamming RTE for showing the clip.
He fumed: “I am shocked that producer/editor of NYE Countdown Show didn’t realise how deeply offensive was a mocking news report accusing God of rape and reporting his imprisonment.
“This outrageous clip should be removed immediately and denounced by all people of goodwill.
“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.”
