The Deacon's Bench
A couple weeks ago, this exact situation arose in England, and made headlines. Now it’s happening in West Palm Beach, Florida.
The name of Osama bin Laden appears in the Holy Name of Jesus Sunday bulletin. There’s a cross next to it.
A parishioner made a prayer request for the mastermind behind the 9/11 attack on America.
A church secretary took the Mass intention a week ago. She admitted she thought it was a joke at first. But few are laughing.
“I think it’s totally wrong, he doesn’t belong in the Catholic religion. For what he did to Americans, he doesn’t belong anywhere,” says Lois Pizzano, a Catholic Church member. “It’s unconscionable, it’s sacrilegious,” said Pizzano.
Father Gavin Badway admits many in his congregation are unhappy. But he says the church has never turned down a prayer request before. He says making the right decision isn’t always easy.
“Their hearts are troubled because they’re thinking emotionally about what he has done and he has done a lot of evil. Nevertheless, Jesus tells us, love and forgive,” says Father Badway, who is the church pastor.
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