AN ABERYSTWYTH-BORN bishop has said he has “some sympathy” with those who banned a cinema advert featuring the Lord’s Prayer.

Bangor Bishop Andrew John was reacting after the ban on a Church of England promotion of the Lord’s Prayer in some cinemas over fears it could cause offence as cinema-goers flocked to the big screen to watch the new Star Wars film ‘The Force Awakens’.

Had it not been banned by DCM, the advert would have been seen on screens at Aberystwyth Arts Centre.

But it would not in any case have been seen at the town centre Commodore Cinema because they do not have a deal with DCM.

“The genie is out of the bottle it would appear: The Lord’s Prayer is considered likely to offend and get in the way of good popcorn and The Force Awakens,” said Rev John, a former Pengais school pupil who served as curate, vicar and reverend in Aberystwyth, Cardigan and Aberaeron.

“The decision to ban the Church of England’s advert for the prayer in some cinemas has raised all sorts of eyebrows and temperatures too.

“We may wonder if this is another piece of political correctness gone mad or whether the cinemas had a point. Strangely I have some sympathy with them."

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