A group of Hispanic parishioners stopped Colombian-born, Fr Walter Ospina, from saying Mass at a North Carolina church because "he doesn't treat Mexicans well," reports say. A large group of parishioners of the Iglesia Catolica San Andres padlocked their pastor out of the church Sunday morning to protest his continued assignment to the Spanish-speaking Catholic community of Robeson County, the Fayetteville Observer says.
Fr Ospina, who is 33, tried to enter San Andres, or St Andrew Catholic Church, by a side entrance before morning Mass.
In addition to the lock that had been bolted outside the side door, a sign on the glass read, "Iglesia Cerrada hasta que tengamos nuevo parroco. Justicia!!"
That loosely translates to "Church closed until we have a new priest. Justice!"
The protesters, who numbered about 150, then swarmed around the priest, many of them holding signs. "We don't want a priest that mistreat(s) a community!" one poster said.
Ospina has served as priest of the Red Springs church for about a year.
Many of the Hispanics who attend San Andres say he fails to embrace his Mexican parishioners, a flock of lower-income people who, in many cases, have made their way into this country illegally, the Observer says.
They say he is not a man of the people.
An allegation also has been made that the priest has acted inappropriately. Local Police Chief Tommy Hagens said Sunday the Robeson County District Attorney's Office is looking into an allegation.
No charges have been filed against Ospina, who, on Sunday, denied doing anything wrong.
The Raleigh Diocese "has no reason to remove Ospina, who will remain pastor of St. Andrew in Red Springs," said spokesman Frank Morock.
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