Clergyman told jokes about Pope

A NORTHERN clergyman at the centre of a storm over mimicking the ailing Pope almost provoked a walkout when he told jokes about the pontiff at a previous function, it was revealed yesterday.

The Rev Stephen Dickinson is facing calls to resign after his impression of John Paul II at a gospel rally near Lisburn Co Antrim in February. The Co Antrim-based Presbyterian minister admitted making a joke at the Pope’s expense but denied mocking his struggle with Parkinson’s disease.

Mr Dickinson, grand chaplain of the Orange Order, said he had “taken the mickey” out of Pope John Paul II but had not meant to cause any offence.

“The joke was neither meant to be anti-Catholic, nor was it anti-Parkinson’s. I would unreservedly apologise to anybody who would take offence at what was reported,” he added.

But Ulster Unionist councillor Jim Dillon said yesterday Mr Dickinson had also caused great offence last September at the lord mayor of Lisburn’s inaugural dinner. “There was nearly a walkout because he was derogatory about the Catholic faith and the Pope,” he said.

Mr Dickinson, who is resisting calls to resign, accused Mr Dillon of jumping on the bandwagon: “I told jokes about Dr Paisley who was sitting there that night. Dave Allen used to tell jokes about the Pope. The jokes I told were nothing like his and the BBC put him in a TV slot,” he added.

Mr Dickinson claimed his actions were being blown out of all proportion.

“It is mischievous. It happened in February and is only reported two days after the Pope has died,” he said.

But Sam Foster, a former Stormont Environment Minister, who had to retire because of Parkinson’s disease, labelled his impression of the Pope an absolute disgrace. “You don’t make mockery of Parkinson’s disease. You don’t make a mockery of any disease whatsoever,” he said.