Own goal?

The BBC has described Cardinal Walter Kasper's comments that the UK seems like a "Third World country" marked by "a new and aggressive atheism" as an "own goal" on the eve of the Papal Visit.
Tactless perhaps, and unexpected from such a committed ecumenist, considered by most as somewhat more liberal than Pope Benedict himself, but his words are untrue in what way exactly? Perhaps he gained his  impression by listening to the output of British broadcasters.
Anyway, it gives the secularists an excuse to beat the nationalist / 'patriotic' drum. They'll be lighting fires to warn us of the Armada next.
Report here