Calling for a priest is quite normal for a Catholic family in such circumstances?

[Rachel Granada]

If I may make a contribution on the question of the priest, it is quite right that in the UK priests are called out at times of need, not just when someone has passed away.

This is also true of other religions as my Mum's local Methodist minister has called round to offer prayers and support when there has been a crisis or illness in the family - so it's not just for when people have died.

A cultural difference between the UK and Portugal, perhaps.

[AnneGuedes]

Your insistence on ignoring the fact that in this country a priest is NOT called only when a death has occurred, but offers spiritual support on other occasions as part of their Pastoral Care is becoming tedious.   What is there NOT to understand about that.      S. Batista obviously was not aware and so her comment was based on her ignorance of the situation.   You have been made aware and yet apparently refuse to ackowledge it.  Inexplicable.

You insist on not understanding that the priest was Portuguese, didn't speak English, was a complete stranger to the McCanns and was sleeping. You insist also on neglecting the fact that Mrs McCann had already woken up a priest, a British one, who spoke English, and was a friend.
It's a deliberate nonsense to suggest that this priest's prayers weren't sufficient ! Once step more and you will pretend that God didn't listen, as it seems, because in Portugal He would only listen to Portuguese priests !

[Rachel Granada]

You insist on not understanding that the priest was Portuguese, didn't speak English, was a complete stranger to the McCanns and was sleeping. You insist also on neglecting the fact that Mrs McCann had already woken up a priest, a British one, who spoke English, and was a friend.
It's a deliberate nonsense to suggest that this priest's prayers weren't sufficient ! Once step more and you will pretend that God didn't listen, as it seems, because in Portugal He would only listen to Portuguese priests !

Anne, at a time of crisis, the more prayers and spiritual support the better!  Be those prayers and support from the UK, Portugal or wherever.  Perhaps the local priest was requested because he could get there immediately.

[Jazzy]

I am failing to see why a Catholic calling for a priest is a sign of guilt of anything.

Ridiculous!

[AnneGuedes]

You are not Jane Tanner either, or S. Batista or Kate McCann and yet you purport to know better than anyone else about them and their actions - but you produce no evidence - and ignore the evidence presented to you.      I know of no-one else who claimed that JT could not have seen a man crossing the road where she said she did. 

You better calm down, Benice, as I never said someone was wrong, you said it of Mrs Batista with no evidence whatsoever.
And as I told you before, I'll never let you spread myths. You're not only a believer, you're a worshipper, and that's fine as long as you don't pretend that your beliefs are facts.

[Cariad]

If I may make a contribution on the question of the priest, it is quite right that in the UK priests are called out at times of need, not just when someone has passed away.

This is also true of other religions as my Mum's local Methodist minister has called round to offer prayers and support when there has been a crisis or illness in the family - so it's not just for when people have died.

A cultural difference between the UK and Portugal, perhaps.

I was just going to comment on that. I've never heared of a priest being called out for anything other than a death.

I'm not religious but my first husbands family were Catholics. The impression I got was that the priest was some kind of superior being and bothering him for anything less would have been unheard of.

We live in a city. Rachel does your Mum live somewhere other than a city? I'm wondering if it's the difference between a large and a small community?

[Jazzy]

I was just going to comment on that. I've never heared of a priest being called out for anything other than a death.

I'm not religious but my first husbands family were Catholics. The impression I got was that the priest was some kind of superior being and bothering him for anything less would have been unheard of.

We live in a city. Rachel does your Mum live somewhere other than a city? I'm wondering if it's the difference between a large and a small community?

"Bothering" any priest, even my parish one, were my child missing would be expected within my family. In fact, my priest would offer support and help as soon as he was aware. Priests are regularly called out for plenty other than deaths.

[AnneGuedes]

Anne, at a time of crisis, the more prayers and spiritual support the better!  Be those prayers and support from the UK, Portugal or wherever.  Perhaps the local priest was requested because he could get there immediately.

Their friends and family managed to get in contact with the media, why didn't they ask them to call as many UK priests as possible ?

[Jazzy]

Their friends and family managed to get in contact with the media, why didn't they ask them to call as many UK priests as possible ?

Because they were in Portugal?????

[Rachel Granada]

I was just going to comment on that. I've never heared of a priest being called out for anything other than a death.

I'm not religious but my first husbands family were Catholics. The impression I got was that the priest was some kind of superior being and bothering him for anything less would have been unheard of.

We live in a city. Rachel does your Mum live somewhere other than a city? I'm wondering if it's the difference between a large and a small community?

I guess things could depend on the individual priest, community etc Cariad.  My Mum lives in a large town and is a life-long member of the Methodist church.  I remember the local minister calling round at times of crisis and illness to offer prayers and support, as well as after bereavements. 

I've also heard from Catholic and Jewish friends that the local priest/rabbi would be called for support and prayer at a time of crisis, as well as after a bereavement.

I think this could be a cultural difference between the UK and Portugal, to be honest.

[AnneGuedes]

I was just going to comment on that. I've never heared of a priest being called out for anything other than a death.

I'm not religious but my first husbands family were Catholics. The impression I got was that the priest was some kind of superior being and bothering him for anything less would have been unheard of.

We live in a city. Rachel does your Mum live somewhere other than a city? I'm wondering if it's the difference between a large and a small community?

You understandably call a priest you know in the middle of the night in a case of affliction, because only a priest who knows you will have the words able to give you some peace. But you don't call a complete stranger, unless ritual for the dying ones has to be performed. It seems that, otherwise, the soul doesn't go straight to heaven ?

[Sherlock Holmes]

I guess things could depend on the individual priest, community etc Cariad.  My Mum lives in a large town and is a life-long member of the Methodist church.  I remember the local minister calling round at times of crisis and illness to offer prayers and support, as well as after bereavements. 

I've also heard from Catholic and Jewish friends that the local priest/rabbi would be called for support and prayer at a time of crisis, as well as after a bereavement.

I think this could be a cultural difference between the UK and Portugal, to be honest.

I think this is right, Rachel. It depends on the community and the place.

In a religious community, people are calling on their leaders and advisors on a regular basis, about matters big and small.

[Rachel Granada]

Their friends and family managed to get in contact with the media, why didn't they ask them to call as many UK priests as possible ?

If you don't mind me saying Anne, I find that comment rather facetious.   A local priest could obviously get there quickly to offer support and Father Seddon was on his way.

[Jazzy]

You understandably call a priest you know in the middle of the night in a case of affliction, because only a priest who knows you will have the words able to give you some peace. But you don't call a complete stranger, unless ritual for the dying ones has to be performed. It seems that, otherwise, the soul doesn't go straight to heaven ?

Wrong.

[Luz]

You understandably call a priest you know in the middle of the night in a case of affliction, because only a priest who knows you will have the words able to give you some peace. But you don't call a complete stranger, unless ritual for the dying ones has to be performed. It seems that, otherwise, the soul doesn't go straight to heaven ?

...or to hell. It's warmer.