Priest's Comments In Church

[andrew1707]

My wife was at church today. Apparently the priest was talking about the upcoming church parade and how, last year, lots of the local shop-keepers came out and took photos (It's an inner city parish with a large muslim population).

The father said that he didn't know why they took photos and that they would probably put them on a jihadi website (My wife thinks this was meant as a joke).

There was quite an intake of breath by the congregation but no more was said on the subject.

I am utterly aghast at this comment and wondered what all the good people of AB-land think and also what you think I should do.

I have have various thoughts on this but keep coming back to the thought of how would I feel if this had happend in reverse, i.e. The comment was made by an Iman in a mosque.

Should we do :
- Tell the police about this. It sounds like Inciting Racial Hatred to me.
- Contact the bishop's office and let them deal with it (..can they be trusted?)
- Do nothing as it was probably just an ill considered stab at humour.

Thanks

[mastercraft]

Tough one this. If it were my parish priest, I would speak to him and ask what was meant by the remark. Then, after hearing his answer, make a decision on which of the three options would be best.
I grew up listening to and telling jokes about race, colour, religion, shape and size. All was said in the name of humour not hatred.

[kvalidir]

I too would speak to the priest in person and just say that you feel it was a very inappropriate remark to make and that even if it was meant humorously there are those who might be offended by it, and see what his response is. He may well be mortified, but if he isn't then at least you know the type of man you are dealing with and can deal with it accordingly.

[ducksie]

I can't understand why the congregation sat there and listened to that, I know in my local area a priest made a comment on the altar and the congregation stood up and walked out, spoke on local radio about it and shamed that priest, that man has some issues he should be reported to the bishop or whoever he has to answer to here.

What can the police do about it, and it was certainly not humourous.

[Peter Pedant]

do nothing
words

go out and make a Muslim friend - they're really quite sensible....

[anneasquith]

he made a very bad joke ?

[kvalidir]

'The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for a few good men to do nothing'....words are the most powerful weapons and must be opposed where their use can cause potential harm.

[DTCwordfan]

Really, is it worth losing sleep over this? Okay it may have been a turgid attempt at humour and if your wife thinks something needs saying, then she should see him an have a chat.

They do make mistakes you know....I went to my godson's confirmation at his school, the officiant, the Bishop of Oxford. He preached about trust and came out with a joke about what trust is. "Take your wife and Labrador and put them in the boot of your car. Leave them there for four hours and then open it and see who is happy."

This, I thought was appalling as did others, a joke yes but advocating domestic violence effectively wasn't 'on'....my mate had a word with the HM and left it that, a quiet word to be passed on that this was inappropriate, an apology being issued.

Your wife should do the same if she feels uncomfortable.

[Peter Pedant]

agree dtc
life is too short to worry about things like this

I quite like the Lavvie joke but perhaps not in Church.

Churchmen have odd senses of humour I have found.

[ludwig]

Do nothing, and lighten up a bit.

[andrew1707]

Although it can be hard to tell from my miserable Scottish exterior, I am actually a fun loving guy who loves to joke and I can see the humour in the priest's joke.........But when he speaks in public he is representing the church and the catholic community, and his comments this time have fallen short of the standards that are to be expected, even if said in jest.

Perhaps he should have paused and thought "What would Jesus say?" (Hint: Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself).

Does the priest think that all muslims are terrorists? Is that what he is saying?

In a country that already has problems with the far right (EDL) we really don't need these types of comments in public as it normalises anti-muslim attitudes.

A

[scooping]

Which denomination was this?

[woofgang]

RC scooping

[Baldric]

Scooping, from above post


///But when he speaks in public he is representing the church and the catholic community, ///

[scooping]

We all say stupid things. Dare say some of the congregation have already said something to the priest. Your wife, or you, could do the same if you feel strongly about it.

[weecalf]

Phew that's a question he will have to alter ,aisle have a word with him .

[Prudie]

he's a priest not a saint. I didn't know priests were expected to be politically correct about all matters. Some can have unpopular opinions on abortion, gay marriage, women priests even -would you report them to the Bishop for these views too?

[Svejk]

get a life. all of you.

[emmie]

don't tell the police, it was a thoughtless comment.

[vulcan42]

An off the cuff, poor joke told in an inappropriate place. Does it require any further action? This country is gradually losing it's sense of humour.