Archbishop Peter Jensen has labelled The Chaser's latest stunt "distressing' and ‘disrespectful’, as the show's parody of Christian faith received attention in yesterday's media.
While the Archbishop commended The Chaser's often clever take on Australian society, he says the stunt - which depicted Christian religious enthusiasts flocking to a public toilet to see an image of Jesus as a stain in a toilet bowl - went too far.
"Very often The Chaser's humour and critique of our society is sharply insightful," he says.
"The episode shown on the ABC at one point descended into the worst depths of adolescent humour.
"I refer to the section where the face of Jesus was shown appearing in human faeces in a toilet bowl."
Archbishop Jensen indicates the stunt is a "cruel' parody of a figure esteemed and loved by Christians as the son of God, and hints that programs such as The Chaser play on the good nature of Christians when jokes appear at their expense.
"It was gross and outrageous, a distressing and disrespectful parody of Christian people's faith commitment to Jesus Christ, the Son of God," he says.
"Christians are expected these days to cope with such cruel references to their belief.
"If such disrespect was shown to the figures venerated by other faiths, such as Islam, there would undoubtedly be a public outcry."
The program, which aired on ABC TV on Wednesday night, featured a skit in which religious enthusiasts flocked to a public toilet to view the image of Jesus Christ, and buy souvenirs of their experience.
Other Christian public figures have been quoted in the media in relation to the program, including Christian Democratic Party president, the Rev Fred Nile, who said the program could have endangered lives if the Muslim figurehead, Mohammed, had been the target.
St Andrew's Cathedral's senior minister, the Rev Chris Moroney, was also quoted as saying the show had offended by "mocking' those who follow Jesus.
60 complaints are said to have been received by the ABC in the wake of the program.
This is one of a number of controversial skits created by The Chaser to receive media coverage recently, the latest of which was a "eulogy' song parodying public attitudes towards celebrities who have died.
