I’ve been forced out of church by creepy parishioner who makes inappropriate comments
DEAR DEIDRE: I’VE been forced out of the church I love by another parishioner.
There is a man there who always stares at me and often stands in my way when I try to get past him.
He makes inappropriate comments too. I feel intimidated by him.
None of the other churchgoers, apart from the minister, appear to be bothered by this or even notice.
I’m a 45-year-old single woman. I just cannot stand it any more.
This man has been at the church for 20 years and it seems he has quite an influence there.
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I’m disappointed and angry and can’t understand why the minister and the church put up with someone like him.
I feel I’ve been driven out but at the same time it’s a relief to be away from him.
I don’t belong in that environment any more but I’m really upset and angry.
I miss the services and a few of the other people even though I’ll find another church in time.
READ MORE DEAR DEIDRE
DEIDRE SAYS: I am sorry that you feel you had no option but to leave the church you love.
The reason that he made you feel uncomfortable may have far less to do with you than with him.
Still, nobody has the right to harass you and you can report it to the police.
They can charge someone with criminal harassment if this person has acted like this more than once and their behaviour has made you feel distressed or alarmed.
You can talk this through with (0808 16 89 111).