Santiago, Chile, Dec 13, 2007 / 10:00 am
A judge in southern Chile sentenced a Catholic priest to recite seven psalms daily for three months as a punishment for illegal parking.
Judge Manuel Perez said he issued the sentence after Father Jose Cornejo said he could not pay the usual $100 fine for illegal parking. Father Cornejo said he had parked in front of the school where he works because he lacked the money for public parking, according to the Associated Press.
Judge Perez told a Chilean newspaper that his sentencing decision was a tribute to Galileo Galilei, the Renaissance scientist who received a similar three-year sentence for saying the Earth rotates around the sun.
The judge ordered a court official who lives near the priest to check daily that the sentence is being fulfilled.
Subscribe to our daily newsletter
At Catholic News Agency, our team is committed to reporting the truth with courage, integrity, and fidelity to our faith. We provide news about the Church and the world, as seen through the teachings of the Catholic Church. When you subscribe to the CNA UPDATE, we'll send you a daily email with links to the news you need and, occasionally, breaking news.
As part of this free service you may receive occasional offers from us at EWTN News and EWTN. We won't rent or sell your information, and you can unsubscribe at any time.
Click hereOur mission is the truth. Join us!
Your monthly donation will help our team continue reporting the truth, with fairness, integrity, and fidelity to Jesus Christ and his Church.
Donate to CNA