In May 2005, shortly after the death of Pope John Paul II, while speaking at Larne Rangers Social Club in Northern Ireland he said "It's very smoky in here tonight – has another f***ing Pope died?" "The Scotsman" reported that he went on to tell a vulgar joke about a nun, while "The Herald" reported that his routine was "alleged to have been littered with obscenities and jokes about Catholics" although Findlay has stated that he also made jokes about Protestantism and about the Protestant clergyman and politician Ian Paisley. It is believed that the Faculty of Advocates passed a vote of no confidence on him following the controversy over his comments. He was also fined £3,500 by the Faculty of Advocates.