RTÉ response to ‘haunted bread’ complaint ‘inadequate’

A Co. Kerry priest who lodged a formal complaint against RTÉ after a guest on The Late Late Show referred to the Eucharist as “haunted bread” said he is disappointed that the national broadcaster has chosen to view the incident as “provocative” but “not sacrilegious”.

Speaking to The Irish Catholic this week following an email he received from RTÉ regarding the issue, Fr Kevin McNamara insisted that the response was “inadequate” and that he would continue his case with the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland.

“A line was crossed here,” Fr McNamara said, “and you have to stand up for your faith.”

Sacrilegious

In the email sent to Fr McNamara, Late Late producer Larry Masterson wrote: “The phrase ‘haunted bread’ was certainly provocative. [The guest] used it to get a reaction, and indeed it did. I do not believe however that it was sacrilegious.

“It was, in my view, a linguistic phrase that encapsulates ‘The Holy Ghost’ and Holy Communion…In attempting to hear new voices on The Late Late Show, it is inevitable that some will not like what they hear.”

He concluded: “I accept that the phrase ‘haunted bread’ has caused offence to some viewers and has been seen by some as disrespectful or mocking and for that I apologise.”

Reaction

Fr McNamara said “to get a reaction” was a loaded comment. “What reaction, and why? Would it have been done to any other faith to gain a reaction?”

The priest also complained that RTÉ failed to deal with the “core issue”, which was the way Late Late host Ryan Tubridy chose to deal with the comment, praising his guest for the ‘haunted bread’ description.

“It is crucial for a presenter to be impartial and not to endorse the views of guests on a show,” Fr McNamara said.

“Calling something entertainment or comedy does not give anyone the right to go to the core belief of my Catholic faith.”

Hundreds of letters have been sent to RTÉ from parishes across the country to complain about the show.