A Fairfield, California woman whose car was adorned with celebratory signs for President-elect Barack Obama was singled out by her priest during Sunday Mass at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church. After humiliating Elizabeth Caster in front of the entire congregation, the Rev. Sebastian Meyer ordered her to leave the church, saying: "We cannot have a car with Obama signs written on it on these premises! And I don't care who Obama is. I want this car off the premises in 10 minutes or it will be towed!"
Myer wasn't returning calls from the media about the incident but according to Mercury News: An attempt to speak to him in person ended abruptly Wednesday morning when he announced, "No, we're not writing that," and reportedly lunged at a reporter, attempting to snatch the reporter's notebook away. That incident was reported to police and the Diocese of Sacramento, which oversees Roman Catholic churches in the Fairfield area. Kevin Eckery, a spokesman for the diocese, said that because police had been notified, he couldn't comment on any specifics involving Wednesday's incident.
John Amato at Crooks and Liars plans to keep a list of Catholic clerics who can't keep their hands off altar boys - no wait, that's another list - of Catholic clerics who can't keep their gnarled fingers out of politics. (That's gonna be a long list, John.)
Related Post: Priest: No Communion Wafer For Obama Voters
What a freakshow this guy is
Posted by: JW | November 16, 2008 at 10:52 AM
According to the Mercury News, a spokesman for the diocese says that the priest informed him it was a matter of the car being illegally parked in a "yellow zone" and blocking the parking lot. May be true, it may be that he kicked her out for supporting Obama, but both sides of the story deserve equal hearing.
http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_10968645?source=most_emailed
Posted by: Anne MH | November 16, 2008 at 11:42 AM
As an american and head of an institution with heavy political leanings, he has every right to publicly express he and his institution's beliefs.
As an american and head of an institution with heavy political leanings, he also has every right to pay up on those taxes we've been giving him a break on for so long.
Posted by: Adam Knapp | November 16, 2008 at 12:14 PM
Anne, if it was just a matter of parking in the wrong zone, he wouldn't have gone off on his Obama tangent. And how else would you expect the diocese to spin it? Disgraceful!
Posted by: Amanda | November 16, 2008 at 12:35 PM
Jesus Hussein Christ!
What's wrong with people? It would serve that jerk off right if everyone who voted for Obama stops going to his pathetic church (and stops giving him any money.)
Posted by: Marvin Music | November 16, 2008 at 12:39 PM
Clergy are idiots.
Posted by: tenet | November 16, 2008 at 12:48 PM
Keep church out of politics! Period!
Posted by: Wes | November 16, 2008 at 12:48 PM
Sad.
Posted by: Amy | November 16, 2008 at 12:57 PM
The "Jesus Hussein Christ!" exclamation is hilarious on many levels! I only wish I had thought of it. I'm gonna co-op that phrase, if you don't mind!
Posted by: Jerry Smith | November 16, 2008 at 01:09 PM
As a previous poster commented, he has every right to do this, as long as he is willing to pay taxes...
Posted by: Tom Human | November 16, 2008 at 01:48 PM
All churches which dabble in politics should be taxed.
Posted by: Xtine66 | November 16, 2008 at 02:05 PM
The Catholic Church has no credibility on moral issues.
Posted by: Cindy | November 16, 2008 at 04:56 PM
What an idiot...and I mean the congregation if they stay with this buffoon! The one thing I admire about Obama's win is that it brings people's true intentions and beliefs out in the open.
Posted by: CAN'TGOHOMEAGAIN | November 19, 2008 at 09:01 PM