Offensive cartoon Pope dropped by BBC

Today's Guardian (Manchester) reports that the BBC have dropped plans for Popetown, a cartoon satire that was to feature "an infantile Pope voiced by the comedian Ruby Wax, bouncing around the Vatican on a pogostick."

The corporation had been subjected to a campaign of criticism by Catholics since the series was announced last year.

Already angered by what they saw as the pursuit by Radio 4's Today programme of Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor, the Archbishop of Westminster, for his alleged mishandling of the issue of paedophile priests, the Catholic faithful took Popetown as part of a concerted BBC agenda to attack their church.

They bombarded the corporation with complaints, and several bishops objected.

The Guardian continues:

The Rt Rev Crispian Hollis, Bishop of Portsmouth and chairman of the Catholic bishops' communications committee, was "delighted", since the series would have caused offence "not least among the Catholic community, who hold the person of the Holy Father in the highest regard and affection.

"Any attempt to belittle or diminish his status as the leader of the Catholic church is totally unacceptable and not only to Catholics."

Apparently the BBC need not be too glum, however. Some of the costs can be recouped "by selling the programmes on and through video sales."

All's well then.