Democratic governor Gretchen Whitmer has recently faced immense backlash for a controversial video that many have interpreted as mocking the Eucharist. Prominent Catholic leaders in Michigan have called out the video, rebuking Whitmer’s behavior in the clip.
For background, Whitmer appeared alongside feminist influencer Liz Plank in a video that showed the governor suggestively feeding a Dorito to Plank, who was crouched in a position similar to how Catholics receive Holy Communion.
The Michigan Catholic Conference (MCC) said in a statement about the clip, “A video posted yesterday to social media platform Instagram featuring Governor Gretchen Whitmer has prompted the state’s Catholic bishops conference to express profound disappointment and offense taken at the actions in the video. In the skit, Whitmer lays a Dorito chip on the extended tongue of a woman, who as the camera pans out is shown to be kneeling in the same manner as one would when receiving Communion on the tongue. The governor then stares expressionless into the camera.”
President and CEO of the Michigan Catholic Conference Paul A. Long said, “The skit goes further than the viral online trend that inspired it, specifically imitating the posture and gestures of Catholics receiving the Holy Eucharist, in which we believe that Jesus Christ is truly present.” He added, “It is not just distasteful or ‘strange;’ it is an all-too-familiar example of an elected official mocking religious persons and their practices. While dialogue on this issue with the governor’s office is appreciated, whether or not insulting Catholics and the Eucharist was the intent, it has had an offensive impact.”
The president of the Catholic group added that American Christians have had enough of the disrespect that continues to be directed at their faith. Over the past few years, Christianity has faced increasing amounts of hostility in the West, the likes of which other religions have not seen.
Long continued, “People of this state and across the country have grown tired of and continue to express their alarm at the bar of civility and respect toward people of faith lowering by the day. Michigan is a religiously diverse state and includes thriving communities of Christian, Jewish, and Muslim believers. The time is now for those in public office, their handlers, and strategists to return a level of respect, civility, and appreciation for those who have found peace and fulfillment in life by worshiping God and serving their neighbor.”
The Christian Tribune recently reported on Gov. Whitmer’s response to the backlash, where she indicated that the video was entirely misconstrued and that she never intended to offend Christians. “Over 25 years in public service, I would never do something to denigrate someone’s faith. I’ve used my platform to stand up for people’s right to hold and practice their personal religious beliefs,” she said. “My team has spoken to the Michigan Catholic Conference. What was supposed to be a video about the importance of the CHIPS Act to Michigan jobs, has been construed as something it was never intended to be, and I apologize for that.”
Watch the video below:
Featured image credit: City of Detroit, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons, https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Gretchen_Whitmer_(2021).jpg