Red Springs parishioners lock out priest in protest[/b]

 
RED SPRINGS - 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.

Father Walter 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, and he also delivered the Spanish Mass at St. Francis De Sales Catholic Church in Lumberton and the missionary station of St. Andrew in St. Pauls.

Many of the Hispanics who attend San Andres feel betrayed by this man of the cloth.

They 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. They say he is aloof and sarcastic to them.

They say he is not a man of the people.

An allegation also has been made that the priest has acted inappropriately. St. Pauls 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.

On Sunday, Ospina clutched a Bible to his heart and toted a travel suit bag after coming down the steps of the locked side door. He conferred briefly with the church secretary and a church official.

"What's the problem?" he asked the parishioners standing before him.

"It's a protest," said 25-year-old Maria Perez, who said she has been attending the church for about 14 years.

Red Springs police officer Darron Sutton arrived at the church, responding to a call that somebody was blocking the parking lot. He approached Ospina as the confrontation started to get heated.

Alfonso Arroyo, 52, angrily defended the priest.

"I'm the priest in charge," Ospina told Sutton. "I have a right to get in my church. They have the right to not go in."

He then turned and faced the members of his church, telling them to calm down.

Ospina replaced Father Carlos Arce, who was beloved by the members of Iglesia Catolica San Andres. Arce openly operated as an advocate for the Hispanic community.

As for Ospina, Julio Sanchez said, "He doesn't make time for us. All we want is a father who is for us. We never had problem(s) until he comes to us."

Sanchez, who is 27, has attended the church for nearly 15 years.

About 20 minutes after the 10:30 Mass should have started, Sutton escorted the priest to his car. Ospina wanted to stay and worship with his loyal parishioners, Sutton said, but the police officer asked him to leave out of concern for his safety.

"They tried this before," Arroyo said through a translator. "They had a small meeting and tried to get him out of the church."

At noon, some of the protesters were still milling around, talking to one another.

"I hope and I pray to God," Perez said, "we get another priest."

There is an allegation of "inappropriate" behavior.

If it's true, I'm glad they locked him out.

Too bad liberal priests don't get this same treatment.