UK Bans Ad With Lusty 'Pope'

It caused 'serious offense,' ad council rules
By Mary Papenfuss,  Newser Staff
Posted Apr 2, 2009 4:02 AM CDT
UK Bans Ad With Lusty 'Pope'

A British advertising commission has blocked the use of a dancing, beer-guzzling photo-manipulated "Pope John Paul II" in an advertisement promoting a nightclub, reports the Telegraph. "It was hugely offensive," said a spokeswoman for a Polish organization, one of several Catholics who complained about the brochure. "They cannot be allowed to get away with this."

The Advertising Standards Authority banned the ad because "the depiction of the dead Pope caused serious offense," according to a statement. But the commission did not say the ad was discriminatory against Catholics, which was charged in complaints files with the agency. The nightclub offered no rejoinder.
(More religion stories.)

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