Witches coven, the Crystal Cauldron, had booked the Our Lady’S Social Club in the Dioceses of Shrewsbury to host their annual ball but where blocked by the Catholic church at the last minute.
Reverend John Joyce, told press: “Parish centres under our auspices let their premises on the understanding users and their organisations are compatible with the ethos and teachings of the Catholic church. In this instance, we aren’t satisfied such requirements are met.”
High Priestess Sandra Davis, of the Crystal Cauldron, only discovered the Church’s decision when she phoned to complete the £175 payment for the booking. She had already printed tickets for the event.
Davis, 61, was also able to communicate to the press; “I’m appalled. My congregation is shocked that in this day and age there can be such religious discrimination. We’re normal people who follow an earth-based religion and want to enjoy ourselves.
“We thought we were bridging the gap with other religions but misconceptions still exist, like we sacrifice animals. Does the church check everyone’s beliefs before allowing them in the club?”
Sandra aspires to turn the Crystal Cauldron from a pagan meeting place into a temple.
In Pure Spirit
What do you think? Should the Catholic Church not be able to regulate who uses their resources as they see fit?
Did they just handle this booking in a very bad way or is this simply religious discrimination?
Sandra has endeavoured to open her environment and spiritual beliefs to our community without discrimination. I feel it is a social comment on the catholic church that they can not be as receptive to other religions and cultures in these times but I feel compelled to say that this does not suprise me in the least. Bright blessings, Hecate.
Given the publicity this got – do you have any sense that the Church regrets its actions. Do you know if they made any overtures to Sandra?
Can I just say the the heathen world does not welcome other faith & religions with open arms …..
Sorry Sandra there are lots of venues in Stockport to host your annual event a bit small minded of you to book Our Ladys when your worlds are miles apart …………
You don't think the Christian world tries its best to do good to its neighbours?
Of course the Christian world does its best by its neighbours – the point is that the heathen world & the christian world are poles apart & Sandra knowing the way the land lies could have avoiding her disappointment if she had booked neutral ground believe me there are plenty of venues in Stockport that would have accepted the booking gladly ………….
This is not a matter of how many venues there are in Stockport!!
This is about one venue, our ladys social club and the church members associated with it who activly discriminated against a pagan group who it would seem approached them in good faith. And lets answer the big question……Why does this group supposedly not fit in with the Christian values espoused by said venue??
This is another clear example of misguided, uninformed bigotry by the Church.
1. Historically, Chrisitans are not "good neighbors" unless you belong to their belief system or are a potential sheep-like convert. This reaction should have been expected.
2. If the church knew the group was pagan but waited to cancel, the church is at fault and should reimburse the group for new tickets. If the pagan group hid the fact it was pagan, that's deceptive and they deserve no reimbursement. A pagan living in the modern world is not that naive to what the world thinks of them.
3. To book a pagan event at such a place seems to have ulterior motives and not just having a place for a party. Frankly, it sounds like a set-up for an excuse to call them discriminatory, when we already know that they are. Why potentially spoil your event?
(continued)
4. The "heathen" world is defined as "anyone not Christian" by most Christians, and to say that they don't welcome other faiths is ignorant, because they ARE all the other faiths of the world. If groups such as Wiccans or Druids did not have some sort of guidelines that define their group as different, then they wouldn't be a group, would they? And why do you want to be a part of something you don't believe?
5. Either every group has a right to exist, or no group does. Respecting those boundaries is how to live at peace with your neighbors. If you live to criticize others for simply not believing what you do, then you are the problem. If others are terrorizing you because of your beliefs, then you have a right to defend your group.
Just my opinion, passing through. My beliefs? Earth-centered spirituality. Ex Abrahamic god believer.
there are lots of venues in Stockport to host your annual event a bit
small minded of you to book Our Ladys when your worlds are miles apar.