Simpsons exec: 'Homer isn't Catholic'

Published Oct 19 2010, 10:17 BST  |  By Catriona Wightman

The Simpsons' executive producer Al Jean has dismissed claims that Homer is Catholic.

Earlier this week, the Vatican's official newspaper L'Osservatore Romano praised the cartoon for its exploration of religion.

The article added: "Few people know it, and he does everything he can to hide it, but it is true - Homer J Simpson is a Catholic."

Jean has now told Entertainment Weekly that he was pleased with the article, saying: "My first reaction is shock and awe, and I guess it makes up for me not going to church for 20 years."

However, Jean added that the Simpson family attends a Presbylutheran church.

"We've pretty clearly shown that Homer is not Catholic," he said. "I really don't think he could go without eating meat on Fridays - for even an hour."