NBC-TV SHOW ANGERS CATHOLICS NATIONWIDE

[dUSt]

During the February 22 episode of the NBC-TV sitcom, “Committed,” two non-Catholics are mistakenly given Holy Communion at a Catholic funeral Mass. Nate, who is Jewish, and Bowie, a Protestant, don’t know what to do with the Eucharist, so they make several failed attempts to get rid of it. For example, they try slipping it into the pocket of a priest, dropping it on a tray of coagulated milk and crackers, etc.

At one point, the priest, who is portrayed as not knowing the difference between the Host and a cracker, goes to grab the “cracker” from a tray of appetizers; he initially balks when he discovers that it is the last one. Then he changes his mind, saying, “Oh, what the hell.” By far the most offensive scene occurs when Nate and Bowie accidentally flush what they think is the Host down the toilet.

Catholic League president William Donohue commented on this today:

“It’s been quite a while since we’ve been deluged with as many complaints as this episode of ‘Committed’ fielded. To say that Catholics are angry about this show would be an understatement—the outrage is visceral and intense. The complaints have come from bishops, college chaplains, pastors and the laity, and they have come from all over the country. With good reason: NBC has made a direct frontal assault on Roman Catholicism, choosing to mock, trivialize and ridicule the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ.

“What happened was deliberate. According to a January 2 story in the Cincinnati Enquirer, the writers for the series, Eileen Heisler and DeAnn Heline, have been encouraged by NBC executives ‘to push the limits of comedy.’ For obvious reasons, the writers of ‘Roseanne,’ ‘Murphy Brown’ and ‘Ellen’ chose not to push the buttons of homosexuals (or some other protected group), so they decided to play it safe and stay in good standing with their bosses by bashing Catholics.

“More than an apology is needed. This episode should be retired for good, and that is what we will demand.”

Thomas McArdle
Director of Communications
Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights
450 Seventh Ave
New York, NY 10123
(212) 371-3191
(212) 371-3394 (Fax)
www.catholicleague.org

[corban711]

oh my! i hadn't even heard of this. Lord, have Mercy on us!

[musturde]

They went way too far with the show. It should never be aired.

[Guest Eremite]

I'm not too shocked about this. Blasphemy is common on television. South Park has exceeded this.

Edited February 24, 2005 by Eremite

[Specter]

I saw the episode because it was on right after Scrubs, and I watched the whole thing because I wanted to see how far they'd go....it pissed me off.

[musturde]

dude, i thought it was a reality tv show... haha man i was going crazy.

[Seatbelt Blue]

I watched it, too, and ya know, I wasn't pissed.

Let's remember:

1. In all likelihood, it wasn't a consecrated host.

2. These two non-Catholics were really, really trying to do the right thing and return it.

Guys, grow up. This wasn't deliberately offensive, and, really, I didn't find it offensive, period. I watched it with two friends - all of us committed, practicing, faithful Catholics - and we were amazed at just how respectful it was.

Essentially, it was two guys with good intentions who didnt know what to do, and everything went wrong. Should we judge the show because it portrays people messing up when they try to do good? Nate knew he wasn't supposed to eat it - so he didn't. Since he doesnt know how Catholicism handles this, he didn't have the slightest clue what to do with it. So, he figured he'd get it back to the priest.

And in the end, that's exactly what happened.

You guys dont need to be this defensive.

[HomeTeamFamily]

while i agree that there could have been more reverant treatment displayed, even if it was truly an unconsecrated host, it was still being portrayed as the Body of Christ........i do commend the writers for not having the two noncatholics consume it.....i dunno, just my .02

[curtins]

and they say christians are not persecuted

[crusader1234]

We aren't being persecuted, we're just being treated without any sort of sensitivity to our faith. Evil, but different.

[jezic]

we are being persecuted.

If acts like this keep happening, the people who aren't ready will usher in the second coming or God's wrath. No wonder things go wrong today.

[musturde]

[quote name='curtins' date='Feb 24 2005, 10:53 PM'] and they say christians are not persecuted [/quote]
Trust me, our muslim/Jewish brothas have a good share of this going around too.

[bookwyrm]

I saw that episode - it was pushing the limits all right, but like Blue said, the characters were at least trying to do the right thing. However, I agree that it's got to go. Not cool. I couldn't believe that they would put that on TV. Apparently it's only okay to talk about if you're making fun of it.

[Oik]

Faith is not a joke, it is not to be the subject of such poor writing. Catholic League is justified in saying that more than an apology is necessary.

[MC Just]

:angry:


this is a gay nation. One Giant sodom and gommorah.

[MC Just]

forgive my bluntness.

[Matthew Buchanan]

I did not see the episode, and while I agree that it might be offensive, why not just...Well....turn it off. Why is it that we should demand apologies from anyone who offends or even persecutes us. Jesus told us to be happy when persecuted, and that we are blessed when people speak evil of us. I never heard Jesus demand any apologies when the priests were beating him, or when the Jews yelled "crucify him!". In fact he prayed "forgive them Father, they know not what they do." I sincerely doubt that the folks who wrote the episode share our beliefs entirely, so why should we hold them accountable to our extreme sensitivities about the issue. Sure, maybe there is a lack of respect towards those who hold the Eucharist near and dear, but most of what is on the boob tube, well it ain't church. We should be spending more time building God's kingdom, and less time worrying about who's trying to tear it down, or mock it. I know, you will surely say that it is about respect and courtesy for the treasured beliefs of others, and I agree. I guess what I don't agree with is any demands to have the show banned or something like that. The world's full of sinners, and that includes us. If I were to go about banning stuff on tv that offends my faith in Christ, I would be a very busy man. No, me myself..........I'd rather just turn the channel or better yet....just turn it off. Too much bad ju-ju on that little box anyway. I'd rather be here hanging with you guys.

[Lil Red]

umm, while the two characters may have been portrayed as doing the right thing....the actor portraying the "priest" did not. that is what i find disrespectful about this whole thing

[JenfromSVDP]

[quote name='Matthew Buchanan' date='Feb 25 2005, 11:08 PM'] I never heard Jesus demand any apologies when the priests were beating him, or when the Jews yelled "crucify him!". In fact he prayed "forgive them Father, they know not what they do." [/quote]
Now I personally didn't see the show, nor have I ever watched it, so I don't have a first-hand opinion. But I do have to say, after reading all the different opinions in these posts, that the one that makes the most sense is this.

[musturde]

[quote name='Matthew Buchanan' date='Feb 25 2005, 11:08 PM'] I did not see the episode, and while I agree that it might be offensive, why not just...Well....turn it off. Why is it that we should demand apologies from anyone who offends or even persecutes us. Jesus told us to be happy when persecuted, and that we are blessed when people speak evil of us. I never heard Jesus demand any apologies when the priests were beating him, or when the Jews yelled "crucify him!". In fact he prayed "forgive them Father, they know not what they do." I sincerely doubt that the folks who wrote the episode share our beliefs entirely, so why should we hold them accountable to our extreme sensitivities about the issue. Sure, maybe there is a lack of respect towards those who hold the Eucharist near and dear, but most of what is on the boob tube, well it ain't church. We should be spending more time building God's kingdom, and less time worrying about who's trying to tear it down, or mock it. I know, you will surely say that it is about respect and courtesy for the treasured beliefs of others, and I agree. I guess what I don't agree with is any demands to have the show banned or something like that. The world's full of sinners, and that includes us. If I were to go about banning stuff on tv that offends my faith in Christ, I would be a very busy man. No, me myself..........I'd rather just turn the channel or better yet....just turn it off. Too much bad ju-ju on that little box anyway. I'd rather be here hanging with you guys. [/quote]
It'd go a step back if we took out freedom of speach. The people who made this episode had no fixed meaning behind this. I just hope the host isn't used a lot on tv as a joke because it can instill more disrespect for the Eucharist than there already is. The fact that we worship Jesus in bread is an outrageous concept for most people. Many get a kick out of getting us angry by "mistreating a wafer". I don't like the idea of this going any further.