Catholic church sued

[Luna 0]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/3074245.stm

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Church sued for 'hell prediction'

A New Mexico family is suing its local Catholic church over a funeral Mass at which the priest allegedly said their relative was going straight to hell.
The family of Ben Martinez, 80, allege that Reverend Scott Mansfield said he was "living in sin," "lukewarm in his faith" and that "the Lord vomited people like Ben out of his mouth to hell".

Around 200 people attended the funeral of Mr Martinez - a local town councillor - at St Patrick's Parish in Chama, north of Santa Fe, last month.

Nine members of the Martinez family are seeking punitive and compensatory damages for severe emotional and physical suffering.

They say Mr Martinez had been a practising Catholic all his life, but was too ill to attend church in his last year.

"These people are profoundly hurt," said lawyer Kathleen Kentish-Lucero, representing the Martinez family.

"If you are Catholic and a representative of your church says your father is going to hell, that's perhaps the most devastating thing someone can say to you."

One of the plaintiffs allegedly said people in the town "are staring at her, thinking her father is in hell."

The complaint also said that as Father Mansfield walked to the grave, he laced his comments about Mr Martinez with profanities.

Church denial

Lawyers did not say how much the family was seeking in damages.

But church officials have denied the family's claims.

"We deny the allegations and Father Mansfield denies the plaintiff's allegations," said Celine Baca Radigan, director of communications for the Archdiocese of Santa Fe.

She said that Father Mansfield has been moved to another parish on a routine transfer.

Lawyers for the Martinez family said they had filed a lawsuit against the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Santa Fe and one of its priests.

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[andy2 0]

why sue the catholic church? That makes no sense. If anything sue the priest for emotional harm suffered. The church cannot be 100% effective in choosing truly righteous people to be priests. We've seen that with all the molestings lately

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[sinker 0]

Damn. If that priest said that, that was just plain cold. He certainly isn't representing the Catholic Church I belong to... If I were family member and he said those things, I'd have probably buried the foker right along w/ daddy. At least then he'd have some company in H-E-Double Hockey Sticks.

-the artist formerly known as sinker

[Push 0]

So much for love thy neighbour and turn the other cheek, huh? Funny how so many people believe in the supreme power of God, but feel like he needs help in judging people.

-- Toggle Whippin' Yahoo
Skydiving is easy. All you have to do is relax while plummetting at 120 mph from 10,000' with nothing but some nylon and webbing to save you.

[PhillyKev 0]

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Damn. If that priest said that, that was just plain cold. He certainly isn't representing the Catholic Church I belong to... If I were family member and he said those things, I'd have probably buried the foker right along w/ daddy. At least then he'd have some company in H-E-Double Hockey Sticks.

But doesn't the church say that certain sins will cause you to go to hell? Hey, if this guy commited those sins, and you buy into those rules, maybe the priest was just being honest. What if he really is in hell, are they going to sue god for putting him there?

[DJL 235]

Ok, so let's pose the hypothetical. Suppose the guy was a real dirt-bag. That he only used the church for social status and the priest knew that there's no way this guy is going to heaven. Is he really obligated to stand up there and tell everyone that he's a swell guy and that God will welcome him with open arms? I think people are too used to the church telling them exactly what they want to hear.

"I encourage all awesome dangerous behavior." - Jeffro Fincher

[happythoughts 0]

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The complaint also said that as Father Mansfield walked to the grave, he laced his comments about Mr Martinez with profanities...

She said that Father Mansfield has been moved to another parish on a routine transfer.

Places to go, people to offend...

[CrazyIvan 0]

I really don't care...I'm going to hell anyway.

__________________________________________
Blue Skies and May the Force be with you.

[PhillyKev 0]

We'll make sure to let everyone know, too

[CrazyIvan 0]

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We'll make sure to let everyone know, too

Why in the hell do you think I posted that?

__________________________________________
Blue Skies and May the Force be with you.

[jtval 0]

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why sue the catholic church? That makes no sense. If anything sue the priest for emotional harm suffered. The church cannot be 100% effective in choosing truly righteous people to be priests. We've seen that with all the molestings lately

b/c the preist is probably dead broke! the catholic church on the other hand isnt.

who knows..maybe the guy is going straight to hell by the catholic faith. is that the preists fault?
there shoulda been some tact in the euphemism but
whatever

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[Blahr 0]

So I guess money will make it easier to accept that their father is in hell.

I'd say that anyone trying to make some quick cash on the fact that their father is burning in hell will probably be joining him there eventually :-)

[Push 0]

I'm not a theologist, but from my understanding of the words of good old JC, yes.

-- Toggle Whippin' Yahoo
Skydiving is easy. All you have to do is relax while plummetting at 120 mph from 10,000' with nothing but some nylon and webbing to save you.

[andy2 0]

[QUOTE]b/c the preist is probably dead broke! the catholic church on the other hand isnt. [/QUOTE]

Yeah, unfortunately the people that sue usually arn't trying to make a political/social statement and are usually just doing it for the cha ching.

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in token rhyme suggesting rhythm...

[CrazyIvan 0]

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Yeah, unfortunately the people that sue usually arn't trying to make a political/social statement and are usually just doing it for the cha ching.

Well, in that case, I'd be the lawyer for the defense (Catholic church), I would like to get an affidavit signed by Satan and at least 2 demonic entities ASSURING UNDER OATH that such individual is in fact in hell, if such demand is meet then we can proceed and go to trial, otherwise, OVER RULED!!!

__________________________________________
Blue Skies and May the Force be with you.

[Shotgun 1]

Nice family... suing the Church - and how would "God" feel about that???

If they're really gonna believe that there is such a thing as "Hell" then they might as well believe that people do actually go there - including those in their family who don't follow the "rules" that "God" created.

[Zenister 0]

number 1 reason to seek god for yourself instead of leaning on the crutch of a 'shepard' to lead you astray

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Is he really obligated to stand up there and tell everyone that he's a swell guy and that God will welcome him with open arms? I think people are too used to the church telling them exactly what they want to hear.

of course he is, the security blanket is no good if it doesnt make you feel 'safe & warm'.

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Those who fail to learn from the past are simply Doomed.

[andy2 0]

[QUOTE]Nice family... suing the Church - and how would "God" feel about that???[/QUOTE]

I imagine by now our affairs have tired God to the point that he doesn't give a shit.

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let my inspiration flow,
in token rhyme suggesting rhythm...

[andy2 0]

[QUOTE]of course he is, the security blanket is no good if it doesnt make you feel 'safe & warm'[/QUOTE]

Not to mention the fact that he would have to be the biggest asshole in the world to lambast somebody in front of grieving relatives. I'd find the guy later and be forced to kick his ass if he did that to someone I knew. Its just a sign of lack of respect, no matter if you believe in Hell or not.

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let my inspiration flow,
in token rhyme suggesting rhythm...

[DJL 235]

A bit more depth, please. Which words are those? That we shouldn't judge each other? That thou shalt be nice to the family of the dead? It's the priest's responsiblity to tell people how it is, not be a grief counselor. It has become custom for them to be exaclty that and that's to the detriment of their position as teachers.

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of course he is, the security blanket is no good if it doesnt make you feel 'safe & warm'.

Zennister, that's exactly what I mean.

"I encourage all awesome dangerous behavior." - Jeffro Fincher

[happythoughts 0]

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I think people are too used to the church telling them exactly what they want to hear.

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2 Timothy 4:3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires; and will turn away their ears from the truth, and will turn aside to myths.

Somebody said something similar earlier... about 2000 years earlier. It's pretty much always been that way. Nothing new there. People tend to go to a church that already fits their belief system.

That said, I think that it is common decency to not say something like that at a service and use the guy as a bad example. My limited set of social skills would require me to beat that asshat down.

[andy2 0]

[QUOTE]My limited set of social skills would require me to beat that asshat down. [/QUOTE]

exactly what I was saying.

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let my inspiration flow,
in token rhyme suggesting rhythm...

[SadSue 0]

LMFAOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

Places to go, people to offend...

Nice one happy!!!! hahaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa

One thing is certain.. When yer gonna be SUED it tends to grab yer attention. I'm going back to my knitting.

Hope you don't get Banned!

[Push 0]

I am not very familiar with Christian scripture, and I will not insult the people that study it by attempting to quote it. However, the eulogy of many people here, if read by that priest, will consist of nothing but stories of shameless debauchery. Does that mean that the lives of those people were full of terrible evil? It just means that the priest does not understand the lifestyle of the person in question. I put into doubt that Jesus Christ and his Father will not understand that same lifestyle. It's not our place to judge, and the priest did just that.

Having said that, I'm not a big fan of institutional religion. I'm referring to the common decency of the priest as a human being, not the responsibility of the church.

-- Toggle Whippin' Yahoo
Skydiving is easy. All you have to do is relax while plummetting at 120 mph from 10,000' with nothing but some nylon and webbing to save you.

[SadSue 0]

in reply too;
why sue the catholic church? That makes no sense.


Hell yeah it makes sense. Theres gonna be a big diffrence in the pay out for a start. And the church Has to become responsible for it priests. The catholic church is VERY Wealthy. Whatever happened to "Jesus Forgives all of your sins" Or my fav... let he without sin, cast the first stone.

Its all a load of bollocks. Let the church pay these people for there suffering. Maybe they will start to take complaints against priest seriously, and they will investigate n weed out the rubbish. I know the majority are true to their faith, but it just like any other authority. Your paying for this. The church has far too much power in many countries.

That might be fine with you.. but I think it sucks.

Can I get a witness?????

Hope you don't get Banned!