Jesus-shaped soap-on-a-rope doesn't wash with Catholic couple

The BHS store in Reading has removed a gift called Jesus Soap-on-a-Rope from it shelves after a Catholic couple said it was ‘deeply offensive’. The novelty bathroom gift depicts Christ with the Sacred Heart.

The item was removed from sale following a complaint from Bryan and Elizabeth Dent. ‘The writing on it, “Wash away your sins” and “Try for Heaven with good clean living”, wasn’t funny, not for a Catholic,’ said Mr Dent, 74, of Tilehurst, Berkshire.

Now, if BHS had thought to sell a Pope Soap-on-a-Rope, they might have had a product with mass appeal on their hands.

Midnight now means 10pm

The Pope is to break with tradition this year and celebrate Midnight Mass at 10pm, instead of midnight. The decision was apparently taken two months ago to "ease the Pope's fatigue at a time when there are many ceremonies and commitments" during Christmas holidays, said Vatican spokesman the Rev Frederico Lombardi. Read more about this story here.