The Angelus is broadcast daily on RTÉ television at 12pm and at 6pm.

It traditionally offers a silent image of the Virgin Mary to allow viewers the time to pray, followed by tolling bells.

The new broadcast by Ireland's national TV station will now showcase aspiring Irish filmmakers and artists.

RTÉ said the revamp was needed as Ireland had "changed enormously" over the decades.

But a spokesman said the bells would remain.

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Referring to the findings of the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI), that found the station had failed in editorial and managerial controls, he said, "RTE accepts the findings and can offer no excuse."

The BAI fined RTÉ €200,000 and Fr Reynolds has been awarded compensation for damages to his reputation.

Meanwhile papers were lodged earlier this week at the High Court by Kenyan Bishop Philip Sulumeti who is also suing RTÉ for defamation in the same programme.

It is understood that he will argue that his good name was damaged by including his reference supporting Fr Kevin Reynolds' character alongside statements of Fr Reynolds' supposed guilt.

Another case which alleges a former archbishop had sex with a 14-year-old girl - is set to come before the High Court in November.

The former Archbishop of Benin, Tipperary-born Richard Burke, is claiming that allegations he had sex with an underage girl in Nigeria are false.

He does admit however that he had a sexual relationship with her but claims it began when she was an adult and it was consensual.

The family of a religious brother featured in the programme had asked Communications Minister Pat Rabbitte to investigate allegations of child sex abuse against him, which they say are false. Br Gerard Dillon, originally from Clarecastle, Co Clare, died in South Africa in 2005.

RTE accused Reynolds of fathering a child with a minor while working as a missionary in Africa.

Ireland's Communications Minister, Pat Rabbitte noted the considerable concern and disquiet about the liable case involving Fr Reynolds, and described the issues surrounding RTE's defamation as 'very grave'.

RTE has paid an substantial out of court settlement to Reynolds and an independent inquiry has been launched.

In the meantime, the managing director of RTE news and current affairs, Ed Mulhall, and the editor of the Prime Time Investigates programme, Ken O'Shea, have stepped aside from their posts and reporter Aoife Kavanagh and executive producer Brian Pairceir will not be involved in any on-air programming until the inquiry is completed.

The inquiry, which has two months to make its report, will have the power to compel witnesses to attend and to provide all records relevant to the making of the programme.

RTE's director general, Noel Curran, yesterday announced 'Prime Time Investigates' will be suspended for the rest of the year. He also failed to rule out the possibility of resignations over what he called "one of the gravest editorial mistakes ever made" by the national broadcaster.

Sources

• Kerryman
• Irish Times
• Irish Times
• Image: Clerical Whispers