Catholic Church in Florida puts Osama Bin Laden on Prayer List

This is what can happen when Churches get lukewarm. A parishioner at a Catholic church in West Palm Beach, FL submitted a prayer request for none other than Osama Bin Laden. The church apparently took the next step and published the request in its bulletin. Some may have seen it as some kind of mistake but the pastor appears to have doubled down and is defending the act by saying those who don't like it are simply being ruled by irrational emotions.

Via WPTV 5:

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - 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.

Just because Christians are commanded to love their enemies doesn't mean Osama Bin Laden's name should appear in the church bulletin and be read aloud in prayer. Someone should ask the priest the last time a Jew or Christian appeared in a Mosque bulletin as anything other than a target of hate.

This is beyond shameful.

h/t Weasel Zippers