Orange Order Protestant minister does Pope jokes

Daily Ireland:

The Presbyterian Church in Ireland is facing calls to expel one of its most high-profile ministers after he admitted doing impressions of the Pope while the ailing Pontiff was critically ill.

The Co Antrim-based Rev Stephen Dickinson, who serves as the Grand Chaplain of the Orange Order, also told anti-Catholic jokes at the gospel rally in Drumbo Presbyterian Church Hall near Lisburn, Co Antrim.

Rev Dickinson compered the event, which was attended by several senior DUP figures including Lagan Valley MP Jeffrey Donaldson. According to witnesses the minister launched into an impression of the Pope suffering from Parkinson’s disease towards the end of proceedings.

Speaking to Daily Ireland yesterday, Rev Dickinson confirmed he had “taken the mickey” out of the Pope and the Catholic faith but did not intend to cause any offence.

However, Sinn Féin and the SDLP has called on him to resign following his ill-timed remarks. Sinn Féin Lisburn councillor Paul Butler said: “It’s disgraceful that a religious figure can come out with comments like this while the Pope was clearly very ill.” SDLP Assemblywoman for the Lisburn area, Patricia Lewsley, echoed this view. “If Rev Dickinson doesn’t resign the Presbyterian Church should do the right thing and kick him out."

Once again British unionism shows its ability to be disgusting.