Catholic Anti-Abortion Activist, Joseph Landry, on Trial for 'Trespass' at St. Jude's Cathedral, St. Petersburg, Florida, Under the Authority of Bishop Robert N. Lynch
by Staff
June 25, 2008
WASHINGTON, (christiansunite.com) -- On Wednesday, June 18, at 8:30 a.m., Joseph Landry stood trial at 14250 49th St N, Clearwater, FL 33762 (County of Pinellas: Criminal Justice Center) for "criminal trespassing" for handing out pro-life flyers in the parking lot of St. Jude's Cathedral during mass.Mr. Landry is a graduate of Franciscan University of Steubenville; he majored in philosophy and theology; since graduating he has spent the last four years in full-time service to church in missions, youth work at the diocesan level, and pro-life work.
Mr. Landry was in the news several times for his work against pro-abortion candidate Rudy Giuliani in New Hampshire and Florida.
The flyer is a political parity entitled, " Real Solutions for the Negro Problem." The tract argues that a Christian cannot vote for a racist under any condition, even if the voter agrees with the candidate on all other issues; i.e., racism is an automatic disqualifier for a candidate seeking political office.
The flyer then uses this logic and ethical foundation to show that likewise, a Christian may not in good conscience vote for a candidate who supports the killing of unborn children by abortion; support of child killing is an automatic disqualifier for a candidate seeking political office.
The flyer states specifically: "Should a Christian vote for someone who supports slavery? No! Should a Christian vote for a racist who supports segregation? No! Then how can a Christian vote for a candidate that supports the murder of children by abortion?!" (www.ahumbleplea.com/slaverytract.pdf)
For months, Catholics have been calling Bishop Lynch's office, asking the church to drop him the charges. The church has told people that it is not pressing charges, or that the charges "have been taken care of," or indicated in some way that Mr. Landry is not going to be tried for trespass for handing out pro-life literature in a Catholic parking lot.
Unfortunately, none of these assertions have proven true; Mr. Landry will now stand trail by jury for "trespassing" at the Church he loves and serves faithfully.
Mr. Landry states: "My pro-life activism is in obedience to the Churches teaching; I am being tried for obeying the call of JPII to fight for the unborn! It's a sad day when a Parish uses resources to fight fellow Catholics, rather than fight against the killing of children. I should be viewed as an ideal young Catholic who is striving to protect the innocent unborn. The babies that need to be rescued don't care how politically correct I am."
