Chris Bowen Faces Backlash for Eating Pasta During Catholic Mass: 'Disrespectful'

Chris Bowen faced criticism from a Catholic priest after he was seen enjoying a bowl of pasta during the service.

The Minister for Climate Change And Energy participated in an early morning Mass during the Italian festival Festa Della Repubblica held at Club Marconi in Bossley Park, southwest. Sydney , on Sunday.

Witnesses told the Daily Telegraph Bowen showed up during the middle of the mass when folks were receiving communion, then took a seat upfront where he started eating his pasta.

The Reverend Anthony Fregolent, who was conducting the Mass, informed the newspaper that Bown needed to demonstrate greater 'reverence' towards the 'sanctity of the location'.

"When you get there after the service has started, you ought to head to your seat and keep silent," he stated.

'The welcoming is very important in our faith and our religion, but also the respect for the sacredness of the place is important.'

Rev Fregolent finished his mass, which was in Italian, with a request for people not to eat during the service.

Multiple eyewitnesses charged the Labor frontbencher with exhibiting 'rudeness' and displaying lack of respect.

Nonetheless, a representative for Bowen mentioned that he wasn't even cognizant of it being a gathering.

"There was a gathering that Mr Bowen missed, followed by a public event that he attended," they informed the newspaper.

'He did not realise the mass was in the final stages when he entered the marquee, as people were leaving. If he had realised, he would have waited a few minutes.'

Bowen posted multiple images from the festival on social media platforms, featuring one of his pasta dish as well.

'Wonderful to join our local community to celebrate this important day at Club Marconi, in the heart of South-Western Sydney,' he captioned the post.

'Viva Australia, Viva Italia!'

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