DUP man urged to withdraw comments on Papal visit

The SDLP has called on a DUP Assemblyman to withdraw disparaging comments he made about a planned Papal visit to the North.

Mid-Ulster MLA Ian McCrea says a majority of people in the North are Protestant and belong to denominations that believe the Pope is the anti-Christ.

He also said the Catholic hierarchy has been complicit in sexual abuse cases and a Papal visit would "feel the vent of Protestant opposition".

SDLP MLA Patsy McGlone has described the comments as a deeply hurtful, insensitive and sectarian rant.