THE Catholic Herald has apologised for publishing an article which accused the late Archbishop of Liverpool of driving people away from the church.
Harry Coca, assistant editor of the Catholic Herald, said he had made an "error, of judgment" in using the piece by the novelist, Alice Thomas Ellis, which, he admitted, had caused widespread distress.
Ms Ellis claimed Archbishop Derek Worlock, who died of cancer less than three months ago, had caused a slump in Mass attendances in Liverpool.
She added that when she had tried to see him she had been sent away with a flea in my ear".
She also accused Archbishop Worlock, who worked closely for 20 years with the Anglican Bishop of Liverpool, Dr David Sheppard, of diluting Catholicism.
A spokesman for the Catholic Church in England and Wales accused Ms Ellis of being unChristian in speaking ill of the dead.
Mr Coen said yesterday the paper had invited readers to respond to Ms Ellis's controversial views, and that an article championing Archbishop Worlock was due to be published in the next edition.
However, the paper, "in its keenness for debate, had overlooked the simple fact that genuine personal distress and sorrow would ensue," he said.
Mr Coen added: "The Catholic Herald recognises that so personalised an attack on such a well loved figure so soon after his death was insensitive and personally wish to acknowledge it was an error of judgment on my part."