Michigan’s Catholic bishops condemn Gov. Whitmer’s chip video as a “mockery” of believers

CNA Staff October 11, 2024 / 7:40 p.m

Michigan’s Catholic bishops on Friday condemned a video clip of Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and a journalist for what some called a “mockery” of the Eucharist.

The video, released Thursday and quickly going viral, shows Whitmer feeding the journalist a Dorito chip.

The skit took place during “Chip Chat,” a session with Liz Plank, a Canadian author, journalist and influencer with 610,000 followers on her Instagram page “feministabulous.”

The video has drawn criticism because Plank’s kneeling posture and placement of the Dorito on his tongue gave many viewers the impression that receiving Holy Communion was being mocked.

The caption of the edited video refers to the “CHIPS Act,” a 2022 Biden administration law known as the “Creating Helpful Incentives to Produce Semiconductors and Science Act.”

An edited caption on Plank’s Instagram post read, “If he doesn’t do it, Gretchen Whitmer will.” Not only are chips delicious, the CHIPS Act fundamentally changes technology and manufacturing in the US and increases domestic production of semiconductors to reduce dependence on foreign suppliers! Donald Trump would jeopardize that.”

Defense attorneys for Whitmer said the move was part of a TikTok trend in which a person is fed by another person.

Plank responded to the criticism in a post

But the sketch has sparked controversy as many Catholics saw it as a mockery of the Eucharist.

“The skit goes beyond the viral online trend that inspired it, specifically imitating the posture and gestures of Catholics as they receive the Holy Eucharist, in which we believe that Jesus Christ is truly present,” said Paul Long, president and CEO of the Michigan Catholic Conference. in a statement on Friday.

“It’s not just tasteless or ‘weird’; It is an all-too-familiar example of an elected official mocking religious figures and their practices,” Long continued. “While the dialogue with the governor’s office on this issue is appreciated, whether or not the insult to Catholics and the Eucharist was intended, it had an offensive effect.”

A spokesperson for Whitmer said in a statement to Fox News Digital that “the governor’s social media is known for infusing her communications with pop culture.”

“This popular trend has been used by countless people, including Billie Eilish, Kylie Jenner and Stephen Colbert, and the fact that people are paying attention to a video promoting President Biden’s CHIPS law proves it’s working,” the statement continues. “Republicans want to distract from the fact that Democrats have invested billions of dollars in the local economy to create record numbers of jobs and bring supply chains back from overseas, while Donald Trump’s policies would destroy those jobs and send them back to China.”

What’s worth noting is that the trends mentioned don’t usually involve one person kneeling in front of the other person.

The full video on Plank’s YouTube channel also included a discussion about abortion, in which Plank and Whitmer joked about “post-birth abortions,” in reference to Trump’s comments on the abortion law passed by Minnesota governor and 2024 Democratic vice presidential candidate, Tim Walz, was signed.

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But Long of the Michigan Catholic Conference demands that those who hold public office respect religious people.

“People in this state and across the country are fed up and continue to express concern that the bar for civility and respect for people of faith is lowering by the day,” Long said.

“Michigan is a religiously diverse state and includes thriving communities of Christian, Jewish and Muslim believers,” Long continued. “Now is the time for those in public office, their superiors and strategists to return a measure of respect, courtesy and appreciation for those who have found peace and fulfillment in life through the worship of God and service to others.”

Whitmer’s office did not respond to a request for comment in time for publication.