I can accept what you say about the pope's effigy Alan, though it still gives offence - a Catholic friend who strayed down there one Bonfire Night (in the 70s) summed it up by saying that all that was missing was the hoods and white robes.
That aside; the burning of an effigy of a gypsy caravan bearing the inscription "Diddys Out", goes to show how these things can be put to use by those who wish it.
Jim Carroll