A priest has been criticised for calling a woman who arrived late to Mass 'evil' in an irate reprimand.
Father James Grant was filmed in the midst of his outburst lashing out at the churchgoer outside St Xavier's chapel at Carfin Grotto, Motherwell, Scotland, on April 28. An alarming 55-second video clip also shows Grant labelling the woman an "ignoramus" and a "clown" - while he berates and wags his finger in her face.
The Catholic minister is first seen striding from the main door of the church, advancing towards his parishioner who approaches him. He says: "Mass starts at 9 o' clock. You are consistently late for Mass. You are just pure rude and ignorant. You are an ignoramus of a woman."
Spotting that his outburst is being recorded, he subsequently confronts her saying, "Have you got it all? I look forward to seeing it on YouTube." Father Grant's fiery tirade persists as the woman attempts to enter the church. He says: "You are a silly, silly, silly, evil woman that's what you are. You are just rude, rude." Referring to the camera again, he adds: "Who are you going to show that to? You clown."
Following this, the clergyman appears to take a swat at the woman to prevent her filming. Grant can then be seen allowing other congregants inside, prior to slamming the door in the woman's face. A friend of the woman, who wished to remain anonymous, told the Daily Record that Grant joined the chapel in 2020 and has been accused of intimidating congregation members. The man stated: "This priest, who calls himself a man of God stands on the church steps as an elderly parishioner is running late for mass service.
'I ventured into Alcatraz after dark and was terrified by what I saw and heard'
"He pounds her with a tirade of verbal abuse and even raises his hand to her as she tries to enter the Chapel. Father Grant is a tyrant. He abuses people and he does not care who he hurts or upsets. He shouldn't be wearing the cloth because he is a disgrace of a man who is not fit to wear a dog collar.
"He has been abusing this lady for weeks and she has been terrified to return to the chapel since this happened. She is very upset by the situation. Motherwell diocese should want to remove him from their order."
Other locals who viewed the footage were left appalled by Grant's behaviour. One said: "I have never liked Father Grant. He has always been and to talk to people like this is out of order." Another added: "This is shocking. Everyone should be welcome." A third said: "This is disgusting, the poor lady didn't even say a word. And why did the let the other people who were late inside? "I'm sure God would never treat people like that."
The Daily Record approached Father Grant but he declined to comment on the incident. The matter has not been reported to Police Scotland. The Diocese of Motherwell has been contacted for comment.
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