On Halloween 2020, Jane Bernardel, a homeschooling mom of 11, was arrested by police for praying in an empty church after she and her children attended Vespers and recited the Litany of the Saints -- to sanctify a day they see as having been secularized.
After a time of prayer, the pastor of the church, Fr. Gary Ziuraitis, C.Ss.R, approached Mrs. Bernardel and told her that she would have to wear a mask to remain in the church.
But, when Mrs. Bernardel refused, Fr. Ziuraitis called the police and she was arrested. And thereafter, the city of Kansas City, Missouri, brought trespassing charges against Mrs. Bernardel.
Please SIGN and SHARE this urgent petition asking the bishop and the parish priest to petition the city to drop trespassing charges against Mrs. Jane Bernardel for praying in an empty church without a mask.
Mrs. Bernardel fully maintains her innocence and her attorneys are prepared to prove it in court.
But, because of this heavy-handed approach, Mrs. Bernardel now faces charges of trespass which could mean a $300 fine and time spent in a "re-education" class.
This is an excessive and disproportionate response to praying without a mask in an empty church.
And, taking into account the church's and diocese's own guidelines, this is also just plain wrong.
Therefore, the only explanation can be that there is some misunderstanding by the bishop and the pastor of the church as to their own guidelines.
But, their misunderstanding should not legally impinge on this homeschooling Mom, who obviously loves the Church and is seeking to do good.
Please SIGN and SHARE this urgent petition asking the bishop of the diocese, Bishop James Johnston, and the pastor of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Fr. Gary Ziuraitis, to admit to a big misunderstanding, show clemency, and ask the city to drop the trespassing charges.
After signing and sharing, please take a moment to contact the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph to politely express your hope and desire that Bishop Johnston and Fr. Ziuraitis would urgently petition the city to drop the charges against Mrs. Bernardel.
The contact number for the diocese is: 816-756-1850
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
'Maskless priest has homeschooling mom of 11 arrested for not masking in church' - https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/maskless-priest-has-homeschooling-mom-of-11-arrested-for-not-masking-in-church
