Calgary's Roman Catholic bishop is worshipping false G-8 idols and should instead be making room at the parish inn for security personnel, Mayor David Bronconnier said yesterday.
The mayor said he was surprised by Bishop Fred Henry's push for Catholic churches open their doors to G-8 activists.
More deserving of that hospitality, said the mayor, are the scores of police and other security staff who are toiling to keep the city safe during G-8.
"I think Bishop Henry has his heart in the right place, but I wish he would have said that for RCMP and security people, some of whom have been away from home for a long time," said Bronconnier.
"They might want to have a homecooked meal, too."
On Wednesday, Henry also said authorities were unfairly vilifying activists in a bid to turn the public against them.
Bronconnier took exception to that, arguing officials like him are only acting prudently in the face of potential extremist violence and even terrorism.
"I do think (Bishop Henry's) statements were unwarranted ... we're not giving people a bad rap -- I'm trying to be realistic about a very big event happening and we should not underestimate it," he said.
The city, he added, has been working with protesters to assist them, but said their co-operation has often been lacking.
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