A man gave an offensive letter to a priest and ranted at his congregation over their “dangerous” parking at Sunday services.
Bruce Findlay lost the plot after what he claimed were repeated incidents outside St Pius Church in Dundee’s Balerno Street.
He called the congregation “Papes” in the note —then shouted and swore, calling them a “bunch of hypocrites” before threatening one of them with violence.
The 60-year-old said he was “frustrated and angry” when the incident occurred on February 23.
Dundee Sheriff Court was told the note said: “How many times do you Papes have to be told, kids are crossing, do something before a kid is killed.”
When Findlay then started calling them a bunch of hypocrites, one of the congregation tried to intervene to calm the situation down but Findlay said he would punch him.Findlay, of Balerno Street, pleaded guilty to a charge of causing a breach of the peace.
He admitted placing a note in the hands of James Walls, acting in his capacity as the priest, and that he did shout, swear, gesticulate and threaten violence towards the lieges and repeatedly make offensive comments regarding the Catholic faith.
Defence solicitor Ian Houston said there was no religious aggravation as Findlay himself is a Catholic. Mr Houston said Findlay had been complaining for some months about parking in Balerno Street.
He said the accused was concerned it would lead to an accident.
Mr Houston added: “He lost his temper and he has since apologised to the priest.”
Sheriff Tom Hughes admonished and dismissed Findlay.
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