Bishop Charles H. Ellis III has been accused of inappropriately groping popstar Ariane Grande during the funeral of Aretha Franklin.

The Bishop, leading the ceremony at Detroit’s Greater Grace Temple, made an untasteful joke about Grande’s name by likening it to a fast food product: “I’ve got to apologise because I have to brush up,” he said into the microphone. “When I saw Ariana Grande on the program, I thought that was a new something at Taco Bell,” he added.

With performances from the likes of Chaka Khan and Stevie Wonder, Grande took to the stage to pay her tributes to the Queen of Soul. However, upon her introduction by Bishop Charles H. Ellis, members of social media have pointed out an uncomfortable moment.

Feminist author Mona Eltahaway, Tweeted: “I don’t care what you think about Ariana Grande, her music or her dress. This is wrong. That bishop’s hand should not be on her breast.”

[UPDATE] – Bishop apologises to Ariana Grande for conduct at Aretha Franklin’s funeral

Here’s the footage: