Late Late Show bosses have responded to a priest’s complaint that the flagship programme featured “disrespectful” religious comments earlier this year.
The episode in question aired on January 6th and featured outspoken comedy hip-hop duo The Rubberbandits, as they discussed young people returning to religion, after years of scandal surrounding the Catholic Church. Fr Kevin McNamara claims that he was “hurt beyond words” after listening to the Limerick natives describe the Eucharist as “haunted bread”.
Writing in his parish newsletter, Fr Kevin said the comments were “an all-time low” and he believes it’s time to put a stop to people disrespecting religion.
According to The Irish Sun, Late Late Show producer Larry Masterson emailed Fr McNamara to defend the remarks made on on the show.
“As someone from that age group, Blindboy Boatclub was first to reply, and he did so in the language of his generation and his satirical character.” he said.
“The point he was making — to put the language to one side for a moment — was that in his view, people of his generation are not returning to the Church.
“The phrase “haunted bread” was certainly provocative.
“He used it to get a reaction, and indeed it did. I do not believe however that it was sacrilegious.”
RTE’s response was published in the Moyvane church newsletter yesterday and Fr Kevin said he is still pursuing the matter with the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland.
