BIG protest coming up this Saturday

[moosmom]

Here's the circumstances (in the words of Janis Comstock, rescuer):

"Today I spoke with "Father" Jose Mercado in the Frog Hollow section of Hartford, CT at 820 Park St., the new location of the convent of the Sisters Domenica of Fatima. This is a red house at the corner of Park St. at its intersection with Putnam St., at which location a docile, neutered and vaccinated homeless cat has resided for minimally eight or nine years. I'd been told yesterday that "they" (the nuns) didn't want him around there anymore and had told a long-time feeder and care-giver of this loving kitty to "get rid of him".

It was only by sheer coincidence I'd encountered the care-giver, who'd adopted two kittens from the former colony several years before. So, there appeared to be urgency in attempting to circumvent this uprooting of an established senior cat from the area where he'd ived innocuously for years. I showed Mercado the tipped ear and told him where the neutering/vaccinations had taken place and that it could be documented easily from the vet's office. His response?: he didn't know if I was telling the truth and that he would just bring Blackie" to the Humane Society.

This fellow Mercado (unpriestly in both demeanor and language) asked how I'd like 'a rat in my house'. I explained that a cat is certainly not a rat and that since all "Big Blackie" does is sun himself alongside the building or lay in the grass on the lawn, what possible imposition could he be to anyone. He told me that he knew his rights under the law, which allowed him to call the authorities and have the cat removed, which he planned to do today. I told him it would likely be euthanized. He doesn't work for the Humane Society, he said sarcastically. He just laughed, countered with a snotty retort, and told me to take the cat and get off the property."




I've organized a protest outside the property. It's set for this Saturday, 9/8 from 11-2. I've notified the media and the newspapers. This jerk is a "Man of God" who wanted one of God's creatures killed simply because the d-bag nuns didn't like poor Blackie sunning himself. Blackie is now safe at foster home until a forever home can be found.

I just want the public AND the church to be made aware of this man's disdain and crappy attitude towards one of God's creatures. I'll take pictures and let you know how I make out.

[Lilith Cherry]

St Francis will be waiting for Mercardo to teach him a lesson! I dont think the nuns are exactly "Christians" either:rolleyes: Good luck with the protest!

[Catty1]

Hardly the spirit of St. Francis! Hope the protest brings that guy's ego - and a few others - in check!

[pomtzu]

Perhaps someone could hold a sign that reads:

Love all creatures great and small. The Lord God made them all.

Perhaps this "Father" and the nuns, don't think that cats fit in this saying. Sorry - but they are heartless jerks in my book and perhaps they should take a good hard look at their "profession", and what it means. Obviously, they have lost sight along the way.....:mad:

[momcat]

What damage is this cat doing to convent property? Who is he hurting? So he lays in the grass getting some sunshine and maybe catch a nap, I simply don't understand what the problem is here. One would think a priest and a religious community would take a kinder and more humane attitude towards one of God's creatures.

At the church I belonged to before it closed following our Pastor's passing, a group of feral cats was being fed by the owner of the funeral home across the street. The cats would then go to Pastor's back yard with a chain link fence to play and do what cats do. Pastor loved watching them especially when the mommie cats introduced their new babies. Pastor's husband built shelters for them in the yard where they had free access. Jeff always made sure there was food and fresh water for these most welcome visitors. Seeing all the kitties in the yard before and after service was a treat we all looked forward to. Maybe this is why I find this situation so incomprehensible.

Donna, if there's a petition or anyone we can write to in support of this kitty please pass it along? Groucho and I will be with you in spirit.

[Karen]

Definitely a letter to the editor as well, listing the benefits of having a cat around re: pest control, etc.

To others, I am sure these are not Franciscan nuns, likely a different order.

[Litterati]

Kudos to you for taking the initiative and I hope that the protest is a huge success with a big turnout, media coverage and all. Some people have attitudes towards our furry friends that I will never understand. Makes me so angry, so thanks for doing your part to help change things.

[moosmom]

There are no petitions. Just a bunch of people trying to make the public aware of this travesty. I just found out that I need a permit from the City of Hartford to do the protest. So, I'll be off to the City of Hartford tomorrow morning to get the permit needed. I'm just glad I called ahead of time! It could've been a disaster.

Will keep you posted.

[pomtzu]

To others, I am sure these are not Franciscan nuns, likely a different order.

Does it really matter what order that they are???? IMO - they are way out of order.

[Karen]

Does it really matter what order that they are???? IMO - they are way out of order.

I just mentioned that because different orders of nuns have different priorities - the Franciscans are more noted for kindness to animals, children and the poor, the Dominicans for intellectual pursuits (learning and teaching), Benedictine for discipline and silences, etc., etc.

[lizbud]

I couldn't find any religious order of nuns by the name mentioned, but this address is home of this church.

http://www.parishesonline.com/scripts/hostedsites/Org.asp?ID=21825 I hope someone can get through to them about how cruel
it would be to take this cat to any Shelter.

[mrspunkysmom]

Here's the circumstances (in the words of Janis Comstock, rescuer):

........................................

I've organized a protest outside the property. It's set for this Saturday, 9/8 from 11-2. I've notified the media and the newspapers. This jerk is a "Man of God" who wanted one of God's creatures killed simply because the d-bag nuns didn't like poor Blackie sunning himself. Blackie is now safe at foster home until a forever home can be found.

I just want the public AND the church to be made aware of this man's disdain and crappy attitude towards one of God's creatures. I'll take pictures and let you know how I make out.

Way to go for both of you.

Too often those that we place on a pedestal, fall off. Nothing wrong with that except when they don't realize that they've fallen. Perhaps this could be a good parable? Just throwing out suggestions. I'm not perfect either.

[dehlers43]

Here are a couple of phone numbers I found for the "Reverend" Jose Mercado:
860-728-7745
860-522-1129
He is affiliated with the church of St Anne, Immaculate Conception and the St Augustine Rectory. I can't find any mention of a convent at that address.
The archbishop of the diocese is Archbishop Henry Mansell. The number of the archbisop's office is:
860-541-6491

Just in case anyone wants to make a phone call or two....:)

[moosmom]

dehlers43,

THANK YOU!!!!! I'm going to get on it as soon as I get back from Hartford City Hall.

[phesina]

Good for you, Donna!

:love::love::love::love::love::love::love::love:

[moosmom]

I called again to verify that I need a permit for the protest. The cop asked me if I was going to use a bullhorn or PA system and I said, "No, just my mouth." She laughed. She said as long as we don't block the entrance or exits, and don't hassle the people going in and out of the place and the cops aren't called, we should be okay. From what Janis told me, I have a feeling this jerk WILL call the cops. Let him!!! I'm 60 years old and never been arrested. BRING IT ON!!!!!! There's a first time for everything!!!

NOTE TO ATTORNEY GROUCHO:

I've got your number on speed dial, dude, just in case.

I'm getting pumped about this and have a great group of people coming including a dog named "Cookie". Also notified the media (Fox61, Channel 3 and the newspapers.

I'm now off to buy poster board for the signs.

[Karen]

That sounds good! Little does she know some of us don't need spare bullhorns, we come equipped with big voices in the first place! Be polite, loud if necessary, but armed with the good wishes for the kitty!

[phesina]

WOW, Donna! You're fantastic! You know just what you're doing and how to do it most effectively.

And in such a good cause, too. We're sending along all our prayers and good wishes.. And how 'bout that, those you're protesting are supposedly in the prayer business!

{{{{{{{{HUGS}}}}}}}} and ~~~~~~~PURRS~~~~~~~ and :love::love::love::love::love::love::love::love:
from Pat and cats

[moosmom]

Thanks, Pat!!

Yup, I got all my ducks in a row. Picked up the poster board for the protest signs.

Dehlers43

I called the numbers you gave me. The first number is a non-working number for United Technologies. The second number was for the rectory of St. Lawrence O'Toole Rectory. The number for the Archbishop is correct. I'll try it tomorrow and get an address where people can letters. Thanks for trying.

[catmandu]

That Mercardo is a rat , not the Cat.:mad::mad::mad:

[dehlers43]

I hate it when websites don't update their info...sorry about the bad numbers, Donna....

[moosmom]

dehlers43, not a big deal.

I was able to get the address for Archbishop Henry Mansell, Hartford Archdiocese, 134 Farmington Avenue, Hartford, CT 06105. His phone number is 860-541-6491.

[moosmom]

The protest on Saturday went well. Had a good turnout. It began as a quiet, peaceful protest until someone tried to start an argument, saying we were trespassing. Next thing ya know, a bunch of penguins(nuns) came out and starting hassling us. One called the police. Cops (who were very nice) showed up and told the nuns we were doing nothing wrong, and that we had every right to be there, as long as we didn't block the entrances or exits, and didn't hassle anyone coming in our out of the building. The media was useless. No one showed up. I guess our cause isn't as important as as a water main break, or a building collapsing. Here are some pictures from the protest. A wonderful man who was the President of the Catholic Charities, came up to me and asked me what he could do to help. He is going to send around a memo about what happened between Janis, Father Mercado and the nuns. Since Blackie is now in a foster home, it's just a matter of letting Archbishop Mansell know what kind of man is teaching the world of the Lord and how he's treating God's creature. Blackie has been in the area his entire life. He's neutered, up to date on his shots and is FeLV positive. He never hurt anyone. All he ever wanted was to bask in the sun around the Convent. The nuns wanted him gone and complained to Father Mercado who was going to take him to the Humane Society and have him killed. Blackie He was cared for by neighbors and wanted nothing more than to live out his life in the only neighborhood he's ever known.

I wish I could post pictures, but unfortunately it won't allow me to.:(

[katladyd]

You were right in what you did, but in certain parts of the country, the Catholic Church is very powerful. I know in many parts of the Northeast U.S., this is so. Where I live in in the suburbs of L.A., it is the LDS church that yields the most power. In L.A. proper, the Catholics and the Scientoligists hold the most influence. You did the right thing in protesting, but the Church probably warned the media to "stay away".