Ted Turner Talks To The 'Jesus Freaks'

March 8 -- The Mouth of the South may have struck again.

Ted Turner, who in the past has managed to insult Christians, Poles, blacks and women, among others, called Catholic employees at a CNN gathering "Jesus freaks," according to Fox News and the New York Post, which is owned by the network.

The occasion was a meeting in the Washington newsroom prior to a party for departing broadcaster Bernard Shaw, which took place on Ash Wednesday.

Turner, who is co-founder of the news network, took notice of a few foreheads smudged with ash, according to the report.

“I was looking at this woman and I was trying to figure out what was on her forehead,” he reportedly said. “At first I thought you were in the [Seattle] earthquake. I realized you’re just Jesus freaks.”

‘As Dumb As John Rocker’

The Catholic League rushed out a statement condemning the alleged remarks.

“He may be just as dumb as John Rocker, but unlike the Atlanta pitcher, he occupies a position of significant influence in our culture,” said Catholic League president William Donohue. “ That is why we look to his superiors at AOL Time Warner to denounce Turner for his relentless attacks on Christians. Indeed, they might want to take a page from professional baseball and ship Turner off for some sensitivity training.”

Turner, Donohue noted, has made anti-Christian statements in the past.

“Like all repeat offenders, Turner evinces an animus against a particular portion of the population. For him, it is Christians whom he despises,” he said.

Turner once said that if he ever met Polish-born Pope John Paul II, he would ask him if he’s ever seen a Polish mine detector — and show him his foot.

He later apologized to Catholics and Poland, after that nation’s government threatened to end its cooperation with the news network over the incident.

Donohue said he accepted the apology last time, but added that he might not this time.