A Fairfield priest who had asked for a car with several Obama for President stickers to be removed from the church parking lot a week ago apologized today to churchgoers for his outburst.The Rev. Sebastian Meyer, pastor of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Catholic Church, read an apology at all the church's Masses "for the poor judgment I showed in expressing myself."
Parishioners, who reported the outburst to diocesan officials, said Meyer didn't make it clear during the Mass why he wanted the car removed. It happened five days after the election.
Last Wednesday, a reporter with the Vacaville Reporter filed a police report alleging that Meyer verbally and physically attacked him after he asked the priest about the incident.
Meyer could not be reached for comment.
In his statement, Meyer said he asked for the car to be removed because he thought it was parked illegally.
"The fact is I overreacted, and some of you, including the owner of the car, interpreted my remarks as critical of President-elect Obama, when all I really meant to do - and should have done - was make a simple announcement asking the owner to move the car."
He did not mention the incident with the reporter in his statement.
A diocesan official said some parishioners took the priest's remarks as a criticism of Obama while others interpreted it as an inappropriate outburst.
"Either way, we don't condone any of this and we certainly wouldn't criticize any parishioner for who they voted for," said Kevin Eckery, spokesperson for the Catholic Diocese of Sacramento.
Eckery said he didn't have information about the alleged assault by the priest on the reporter and couldn't comment.
The diocese has made no final decision with respect to any actions against the priest, Eckery said.
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(Source: MNBC)