Hospital porter fired in crucifix row, page 1

Hospital porter fired in crucifix row

www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk

The row centres on a prayer room available to staff and visitors of all faiths at the hospital, which contains a Virgin Mary statue and a crucifix.

Mr Protano, a Roman Catholic who has worked two years at the hospital, entered the room when three Muslims were using it - two patients and a doctor.

An argument broke out after he asked them to remove a cloth covering the crucifix and statue and to turn a picture of the Virgin Mary face up.

He said he was unable to comment on his sacking as the police probe and his plans to appeal were ongoing.

I'm not sure of the full story here - it does seem an out of proportion reaction though, unless the man in question DID use racist language, something he refutes.

One thing does spring to mind though - he appears to have interrupted the prayers being conducted by the muslim people in the multi-denominational chapel.

This is also from the same story:
"The friend said Mr Protano went into the prayer room about six times a day to check the statue and crucifix were not left covered.

He said as a Christian, he felt it could be upsetting for visiting parents to find them covered up."

So it seems this has been ongoing - the muslims go in to pray, but cover up the religious synbols of another faith when doing so - fair enough if no-one else is using the room.
But here's the crux - according to the story, they appear to have been leaving them covered when they left.

Is it too much to ask for respect and consideration for those of other faiths - when you've finished prayers, put things back as you found them.

more here

www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk
(visit the link for the full news article)

[edit on 5/2/2008 by budski]