Priest fired for beating drug addicts

BELGRADE (Reuters) – The Serbian Orthodox Church has dismissed a priest running a treatment center for drug addicts after videos showed patients being kicked and punched.

Bishop Artemije, in charge of the Rasko-Prizrenska diocese, said he ordered an inquiry into the activities of priest Branislav Peranovic at the Crna Reka center, about 300 kilometers (187 miles) southwest of the capital Belgrade.

"We will shut down the facility if the reports about beatings and violence persist," Artemije said in a statement.

The bishop said he decided against closing it "after numerous pleadings by the patients and their parents."

"We are also asking state authorities to investigate the matter and punish those responsible," the statement said.

Last week, the Holy Synod, the church's top body, asked Artemije to shut down the center that houses about 200 patients near the southwestern city of Novi Pazar.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20090527/od_nm/us_church


What the Fuck?????

wow must be a slow news week if this is newsworthy

Popov wrote:wow must be a slow news week if this is newsworthy

I won't post here anymore if that is what you wish?

I'm not anti religion, but I don't have the faith in it I once did. And "rehab", is generally an industry. The best, most proven way, is the 12 step program of AA & NA, and YOU need to be responsible for it.

Remo wrote:I'm not anti religion, but I don't have the faith in it I once did. And "rehab", is generally an industry. The best, most proven way, is the 12 step program of AA & NA, and YOU need to be responsible for it.

I just felt the Priest was over stepping his bounds.

hey don't get me wrong - this is pretty messed up - but there's plenty of other stuff going on in the world that's more newsworthy - hence my comment

men of the cloth should never use violence - it sends the wrong message

Popov wrote:hey don't get me wrong - this is pretty messed up - but there's plenty of other stuff going on in the world that's more newsworthy - hence my comment

men of the cloth should never use violence - it sends the wrong message

I agree, I also like to post something different now and then, Hoping to add to the board and further the debate