English bishops criticize BBC for airing programs 'hostile' to church

Published: 2003-10-17

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- The bishops of England and Wales have sharply criticized the British Broadcasting Corp. for airing two programs deemed "hostile to and biased against" the Catholic Church. The fact that the TV programs were aired during worldwide celebrations for Pope John Paul II's 25th anniversary shows distressing insensitivity, the bishops said in a statement released in Rome Oct. 17. The programs "have given offense to many Catholics," the bishops said. One program dealt with the church's teachings on sexual ethics, including the use of condoms to prevent AIDS, and another examined 20-year-old accusations of sexual abuse against two English priests.

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