The Catholic Diocese of Fresno, California, on March 3 condemned a press conference held by a Fresno City Council candidate and registered child sex offender outside St. John’s Cathedral, saying the church was used as a “prop” for political purposes.
Rene Campos, a candidate for Fresno City Council District 7, said he held a press conference Feb. 27 on a public sidewalk outside St. John’s Cathedral because he believes the location symbolizes forgiveness.
“I feel, in the city of Fresno, there’s certain areas that represent rehabilitation,” Campos said. “This church has been here for hundreds of years.”
Campos was charged in 2018 with possession of child sexual abuse material (CSAM).
According to the diocese, officials had not been notified in advance of the event. The officials contacted nearby Big Picture Elementary School after learning about it because the campus is located across the street from the cathedral.
“While the event occurred on a public sidewalk, the Diocese takes seriously its unwavering commitment to Child & Youth protection,” the diocese said in a statement. “Mr. Campos independently and irresponsibly chose the location for the press conference and used the Catholic Church and the School as props in his theater of politics.”
The statement added that Bishop Joseph Brennan and the diocese “strongly condemn Mr. Campos’s decision.”
Campos held the conference in response to concerns raised by members of the Fresno City Council about his candidacy. The council has said it is considering legislation that would bar registered sex offenders from running for public office.
In its statement, the diocese also emphasized that the Catholic Church does not support Campos’ campaign.
“The Diocese of Fresno wishes to make it abundantly clear that while the Catholic Church has a responsibility to engage with civic leaders, the Church does not endorse Mr. Campos or any other candidate,” the diocese said. “We charitably pray for all elected officials and candidates, that they will hold themselves accountable and work to unify our communities.”
From zeale.co
I’d like to strangle that guy with my rosary beads! How dare he use something religious as a political prop?
Bishop Joseph Brennan is a friend of mine. We went to the seminary together. He is 100% correct in this statement, and I fully support him. The Church should never be used as a political backdrop for this kind of shenanigan.
Mr. Campos should cover his face in shame.
Listen to the video of him talking in the original story. The man is obviously gay, no surprise.
Why do so many degenerates love running for public office? Is it because they can’t succeed in the real world where outcomes and results matter?
The elementary school across the street from the cathedral filed a police complaint, regarding this event. It seems that California laws are not strict enough to protect minors from evil sex predators. In other states, the convicted sex offender would not have been allowed to hold an event near a school. Also, there should be strict laws, locally, statewide and nationally, aprohibiting registered sex offenders from running for public office. I also have always believed that the internet should have strict laws prohibiting pornograhy, obscene language, and violence. This breeds juvenile delinquents and criminals– and is extremely destructive to our society, dangerously lethal to millions of souls. The Culture of Death’s Wasteland of Human Filth.