A father has been ordered by a judge to attend Roman Catholic mass with his two sons, despite the man not being a catholic himself.
The order came following divorce proceedings, in which the father, known only as Steve, was told he would be in contempt of court and could possibly face jail if he fails to attend mass on Christmas Day with his sons while he is in custody of them.
The Telegraph have revealed court documents in which Judge James Orrell said: "If the children are with their father at Christmas he will undertake that they will attend the Christmas mass."
However now Steve, 51, fears that due to him having custody of his sons over the weekend the order will require him to attend mass every week.
The documents also reportedly show that Judge Orrell discussed his own Catholic faith during the proceedings.
Steve said: "What I think is really concerning is that it does not allow me or my children any freedom of religious expression.
"I am definitely not Catholic. The last time I went to church was some time ago and it was a Unitarian church that I attended.
"My oldest son, who is now 10, has already expressed a clear lack of belief but legally I am required to take him to Roman Catholic mass at Christmas."
Judge Orrell has faced criticism before after he ordered three children be taken away from their parents after a hearing which lasted just 15 minutes.
Post a Comment Blogger Facebook Disqus