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Mass hysteria: Catholic uproar gets World Cup commercial banned

Jun 16, 2010, 11:30 AM EST

25 Comments

The irony here, folks, is that no one does a better job of ridiculing the Catholic Church than Catholics themselves. But still they consider themselves maltreated and abused, and never moreso than by the Hyundai Motor Corp. Yep. In its recent attempt to capture that ever-important viral video demographic (mighty in numbers, feeble in actual revenue), Hyundai created a World Cup commercial which it first released on YouTube, in which, among other things, worshippers take Eucharist on their knees receiving slices of pizza rather than communion.
Sounds festive, but I haven’t seen it; it’s been pulled by Hyundai after certain Catholic groups complained.

The ad begins with Latin singing in an Argentine “church” complete with a stained-glass window of a soccer ball. “Worshippers” (mocking the religious devotion some in Argentina have for the game) are taking Eucharist on their knees receiving slices of pizza rather that communion. The commercial also shows a soccer ball covered with a crown of thorns, part of Jesus Christ’s passion.

It’s all based, says Hyundai, on the Iglesia Maradoniana – the Maradona Church – in which followers worship Argentine soccer legend Diego Maradona. The church boasts a membership 80,000 people from more than 60 countries.
The commercial aired on TV during the U.S.-England game, provoking the largest uproar. Catholics, who have never been spotted even attempting to rent a sense of humor, immediately demanded the execution of the ad. (Notice I haven’t used the word “inquisition.” … Do’h!). From Fox News:

“This ad is an outrageous affront to Catholics and a mockery of our most sacred beliefs and practices,” said Fr. Marcel Taillon, a parish priest in Narrangansett, Rhode Island.

jesussoccer.jpg

“It’s one thing to gently poke fun at extreme devotion to sports,” Deacon Greg Kandra wrote on Beliefnet.com. “It’s another to satirize Holy Mass by ridiculing its symbols, sacramentals and gestures.”

It didn’t take Hyundai long to respond. A letter it sent out recently:

Hello and thank you for your feedback regarding Hyundai advertising.

Hyundai Motor America would like to thank you and other consumers for sharing concerns about a new ad titled “Wedding” which aired during the opening games of the FIFA World Cup broadcast last week. We take comments of this nature very seriously. Because of feedback like yours, we have removed the ad from all Hyundai communications and stopped airing it.

We credit the passionate World Cup viewers and Hyundai owners for raising this issue to us. The unexpected response created by the ad, which combined both soccer and religious motifs to speak to the passion of international soccer fans, prompted us to take a more critical and informed look at the spot. Though unintentional, we now see it was insensitive. We appreciate your feedback and hope you will accept our sincere apologies.

With appreciation,

Hyundai Motor America

The ad, she is gone. But the awesome idea of serving pizza during communion lives on.
***
World Cup Hyundai Ad isn’t Blasphemous, it’s a Sermon! [Beliefnet.com]
Hyundai Falls Prey to Mass Stupidity [Unprofessional Foul]

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  1. yem123 - Jun 16, 2010 at 2:51 PM

    Wow, you couldn’t resist poking fun at Catholics… in an article about an anti-Catholic ad. How mature of you…

  2. Threat Level: Midnight - Jun 16, 2010 at 2:59 PM

    Spain tried to use the Jesus-ball for all of their corner kicks today. Unfortunately, it died on the cross.

  3. sportsFan - Jun 16, 2010 at 3:13 PM

    between the catholics, jews and muslims no one can that a f**king joke.

  4. Rick Chandler - Jun 16, 2010 at 3:39 PM

    You need to read this. And have a report on my desk by tomorrow afternoon:
    http://blog.beliefnet.com/prayerplainandsimple/2010/06/world-cup-hyundai-ad-isnt-blasphemous-its-a-sermon.html

  5. Vivb - Jun 16, 2010 at 3:44 PM

    The author of this article is a moron if he cannot see the bad taste of the ad. No matter what religion you are, use a little common sense.

  6. DK Anderson - Jun 16, 2010 at 3:44 PM

    I see what you did thar…

  7. Nolando - Jun 16, 2010 at 3:46 PM

    Yes, they can promote child rapists and keep them satisfied and well-stocked; but an ad equating soccer to religion?! How awful!

  8. Heather - Jun 16, 2010 at 4:31 PM

    Amen

  9. Brian - Jun 16, 2010 at 5:09 PM

    Wow, what a sterotypical comment:
    “Catholics, who have never been spotted even attempting to rent a sense of humor, immediately demanded the execution of the ad.”
    Substitute blacks, or jews, or hispanics for “Catholics” and Mr. Chandler would be out of a job. Why is this okay?

  10. Rick Chandler - Jun 16, 2010 at 5:17 PM

    I think you just unwittingly proved my point.

  11. I See The Humor - Jun 16, 2010 at 5:25 PM

    The irony of all this is that everywhere else in the world, football is revered as much as catholicism. Yet it’s the few US “soccer” fans watching a game that made the most noise. I’m sure the humor in the ad is appreciated and understood elsewhere in the international catholic world. Sad that we find offense in everything. The article should be re-titled “US Mass hysteria: US Catholic uproar gets World Cup commercial banned”

  12. Paul - Jun 16, 2010 at 7:20 PM

    We did communion with croutons once in our church. The crunching was something to hear…I hope that the complaint wasn’t about the form of the bread; that’s not what it’s supposed to be about.

  13. Threat Level: Midnight - Jun 16, 2010 at 9:10 PM

    Croutons are the vuvuzelas of church.

  14. Val - Jun 16, 2010 at 10:25 PM

    I understand that we can’t all believe the same things, but can’t we respect other people’s beliefs and understand that some things may be sacred to others? Isn’t there a way of advertising a car without trampeling that which is holy to another human being? Has it now become “unacceptable” to hold things sacred and dear in one’s heart?

  15. Claire Q - Jun 17, 2010 at 5:43 AM

    One man’s “sacred” is another man’s “scared”. But then, the second man is dyslexic.

  16. meh - Jun 17, 2010 at 8:55 AM

    “Has it now become “unacceptable” to hold things sacred and dear in one’s heart?”
    Not yet, but with time and some common sense…

  17. Yarbels - Jun 17, 2010 at 10:04 AM

    Religious types need to calm down. God gave them a sense of humor do they think that God made a mistake in doing so? I mean if they read some of the stuff on http://www.usa-businessreview.com they might wet themselves! No No that would be funny so its not going to happen.

  18. Graham Martin-Royle - Jun 17, 2010 at 11:29 AM

    It’s a joke you moron. Have you had a sense of humour bypass?

  19. Maxwell - Jun 17, 2010 at 7:14 PM

    I was one of the Catholics who emailed Hyundai about the ad. It was right that they withdrew it. This article, written by Rick Chandler, is immature and ignorant.

  20. Rick Chandler - Jun 17, 2010 at 7:53 PM

    Yes, I’m sure that if Jesus were alive, he’d spend his time writing letters to Hyundai. We all love you Maxwell, but you’re somewhat of a humorless twit. “Hokey religions and ancient weapons are no match for a good blaster at your side, kid.” — Han Solo

  21. Natalie - Jun 18, 2010 at 2:12 PM

    Have none of you researched this church that Hyundai depicts?!? It is in fact a ‘real’ church. Here is a link for those of you insulted by Hyundai. If you’re upset, it should not be with Hyundai, but with the people who created this church!
    http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/uncategorized/church-of-maradona-celebrates-idols-birthday_100114316.html

  22. Palm Tree - Jun 18, 2010 at 9:32 PM

    The ad wasn’t “banned” as the headline states — it was voluntarily pulled, and with good reason.
    Why does it seem to be acceptable to degrade and bash Catholics in any fashion?
    And as far as the mindless and childish remark, “Catholics, who have never been spotted even attempting to rent a sense of humor, immediately demanded the execution of the ad” you couldn’t be more wrong (and you know it). To stereotype all Catholics as humorless is not only ridiculous it’s insulting (but I won’t hold my breath waiting for an apology).
    Grow up, Mr. Chandler.

  23. Rick Chandler - Jun 19, 2010 at 1:23 PM

    Your comment was packed with humor. My sides are aching. You sure proved me wrong!

  24. Erin D. - Jun 29, 2010 at 10:59 AM

    I think its insanely stupid that this commercial was put to a stop. Can’t anybody take a freaking joke anymore? There was no malicious intent behind this “blasphemous” commercial. Nobody was sitting in a room trying to create a commercial that would piss off Catholics and mock them. Nobody was being mocked it was a harmless ad. I’m Catholic and I think everybody who wrote letters to this company and cried and moaned all over the internet and elsewhere needs to grow up.

  25. Jesus Christ - Sep 17, 2010 at 2:52 PM

    I thought the ad was sort of funny…and so did dad. Some of you should expect a tickling by holy fire this Sunday. Just saying.

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