Catholic Church demands apology for Communion sketch

The Catholic Church has demanded an apology for a TV sketch showing a man spitting into a bucket before receiving Holy Communion.

Church chiefs in Ireland have written to state broadcaster RTE to complain about the sketch by Mario Rosenstock – which the comic says was mimicking boxers rather than mocking religious beliefs.

And he looks set to anger the Church further on tonight’s show, which features a skit showing Mother Teresa behaving badly in the commercial breaks of a chat show. ‘If they thought we went too far with the last sketch, I dread to think what they will make of this,’ Rosenstock told the Irish Independent.

The Catholic Communications Office said in its formal letter of complain that: ‘any objective viewer would certainly see the offence caused in ridiculing the reception of Holy Communion, the Eucharist, which is the Body of Christ.’

Church spokesman Martin Long added in the letter: ‘To make fun of this sacred act is sacrilege and is offensive to the core belief of every Catholic.’

But Rosenstock insisted the scene was a reference to Irish Olympic boxing champion Katie Taylor.

‘It was clearly based on the phenomenon that is Katie Taylor and how her success has permeated every facet of Irish life,’ he said.

Published: 3 Dec 2012