Catholic leader criticised by British prime minister

oge okonkwo

January 19, 2015 3:37 PM

Pope Francis last week had suggested people 'cannot insult the faith of others', adding that he would punch someone if they offended his mother

British Prime Minister, David Cameron has faulted the Pope, insisting it is wrong to suggest that those who mock Islam and other religions could 'expect a punch'.

Pope Francis last week had sparked controversy when he suggested people 'cannot insult the faith of others', adding that he would punch someone if they offended his mother, as he debated freedom of speech in the wake of the Charlie Hebdo attack.

He stated that there were limits to freedom of expression and that 'provocateurs' should not purposely anger religious people.

However, Mr Cameron insisted that in an open society, freedom of speech as paramount.

In his interview with on US TV's Face the Nation, recorded during his visit to Washington last week, Mr Cameron said:

'I think in a free society, there is a right to cause offence about someone's religion.

'I'm a Christian; if someone says something offensive about Jesus, I might find that offensive, but in a free society I don't have a right to wreak vengeance on them.

'We have to accept that newspapers, magazines, can publish things that are offensive to some, as long as it's within the law. That is what we should defend.'

oge okonkwo