First they came for the cake, now the yoga

More crazy nonsense from those men in black

Fr Padraig O’Baoill warned against yoga and tai chi


A CATHOLIC priest who warned his parishioners they were putting their souls in jeopardy by taking part in yoga classes was reflecting church teachings, friends have insisted.

Fr Padraig O'Baoill, the parish priest of Gweedore, Co Donegal, had previously banned adverts for local yoga classes from his parish newsletter.
He told parishioners in his weekly bulletin: “As followers of Jesus Christ, we shouldn't be taking part in any activities that are in conflict with our faith.

“Therefore don't take any part in yoga classes, tai chi or reiki. Do not endanger your souls for the sake of such unsavoury activities.”

However, another priest in the same Diocese of Raphoe insisted: “Eastern pagan worship and practices are contrary to church teachings.”

Listeners to Raidio na Gaeltachta inundated the station with comments when they broke the story, with many parishioners defending the priest.

But retired secondary school teacher Norah Graham, who runs yoga classes in the parish, said she knew Fr O'Baoill disapproved of the practice because he had already banned her from advertising her classes in the weekly church bulletin.

Although yoga comes from 4,000-year-old Indian holy texts, Ms Graham insisted the practice in the West today was “largely divorced” from any religious practice.

http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/news/dont-endanger-your-souls-by-taking-yoga-classes-priest-warning-to-parishioners-30421352.html