It all started when House majority leader D.J. Bettencourt (R-Salem) called Roman Catholic Bishop John McCormack a “pedophile pimp” on Facebook. The post came after McCormack spoke out against proposed budget cuts during a rally on the State House lawn on March 31.

Bettencourt has expressed regret for his inflammatory words about McCormack, who is head of the Catholic Diocese of Manchester. McCormack was accused of helping to cover up sexual misconduct by clergy members in Boston in the 1990s.

But, even as Catholic groups sharply criticized Bettencourt’s remarks, other House Republicans made caustic comments of their own, including Reps. Timothy Comerford of Fremont and Andrew Manuse of Derry. 

In an e-mail to colleagues, Comerford defended Bettencourt’s comments and called McCormack a “corrupt scumbag.” Manuse sent an e-mail to the Catholic League threatening to file legislation that would remove the church’s tax-exempt status. He later said he had no plans to file such legislation.

It was not the first time during this legislative session that House Republicans have drawn negative publicity for making controversial statements. Martin Harty of Barrington resigned from his seat after telling a mental health worker that he condoned eugenics and thought “defective people” should be sent to Siberia. Harty later apologized and said he regretted what was intended as sarcasm.

Even GOP leadership has stepped in to tone down the harsh rhetoric. Party spokeswoman Christine Baratta issued a statement urging lawmakers to turn their focus to the state’s fiscal crisis. “Many of our State Representatives seem to have lost sight of the bigger picture and what Republicans were elected to do,” Baratta said.

Harrell Kirstein, spokesman for the N.H. Democratic Party, issued a statement accusing Republicans of launching “shameful attack after shameful attack” against anyone who disagrees with them. “What is going on with Republicans in the House? They are out of control and it is evident there is a lack of maturity and leadership,” Kirstein said.