Knock 'apparition' slammed as a tasteless publicity stunt
A PUBLICITY stunt for a major bookie chain which involved an image of Our Lady being projected onto Knock Basilica is being criticised by many today as 'tasteless, crass and offensive to Catholics.'
However, the company involved, Paddy Power Bookmakers, has defended the controversial move as 'a harmless prank' with no offence intended.
The company did not seek permission from Knock Shrine authorities before projecting an image on Thursday night last onto the front of the Basilica.
At the time the picture - which has now been shared countless times on world social media - Â was taken the large crowds which had earlier attended the annual Novena had departed.
The 70-foot image was beamed onto the Basilica as the clock clicked down to Sunday's All-Ireland semi-final clash between Mayo and Kerry.
A press release from the bookmakers explained they 'ventured to Mayo this week to provide the county's long suffering footballers with some divine inspiration' and 'create an apparition of their own'.
Knock Shrine authorities and the parish priest, Fr. Richard Gibbons, have not commented on the bookmakers' controversial action.