Who is Deirdre Hairston? Pregnant woman escorted out of Texas church by cops for not wearing mask during Mass
Dallas, Texas: A Catholic Church escorted a pregnant woman out of Mass for not wearing a mask. After the woman went on a podcast to talk about the incident, the Catholic Diocese of Dallas responded.
In a statement, the diocese said, “The young woman involved in this incident that occurred two weeks ago was not arrested or ticketed. She was issued a trespass warning. The pastor of the parish has required masks at Mass out of concern for the health and welfare of his entire congregation.”
The statement further said, “Canon law grants pastors jurisdiction over their parishes, and while the bishop has not mandated masks for every parish, he has left these specific details to the pastors of the diocese, adding that he expects the faithful to wear masks out of charity and concern for others. We recognize that not everyone can wear masks, but that those who can, should. The diocese is looking into the details regarding this incident, and, recognizing that this pandemic has been stressful for everyone, an increase of patience and charity is necessary during these days.”
Who is Deirdre Hairston?
Deirdre Hairston is a pregnant woman who also has a one-year-old child. As per her, she was kneeling down and holding her baby during Mass at Holy Trinity Catholic Church when a police officer said she needed to leave.
Appearing on the podcast of Dr Taylor Marshall — an American Catholic YouTube commentator, writer, and former academic known for his advocacy for traditionalist Catholicism — Hairston described how she was escorted out by officers after Holy Communion with the eucharist still on her tongue. She said that the church didn’t want her there.
Reportedly, a police officer told Hairston that she will “place her in handcuffs,” if she didn’t leave. “Am I getting arrested?” Hairston asked, to which, the officer said, “No, not right now. But if you don’t listen you will be.” Mobile footage of the incident reportedly shows Hairston asking what crime she has committed, to which police replied she was “trespassing on a business”.
Once outside, Hairston alleged that the usher ran to her car and took photos of her license plate as police were taking her information. She also said she was issued a ticket for trespassing.
December last year, in his new book, ‘Let Us Dream: The Path to a Better Future’, Pope Francis criticized those who protested the health measures aimed at reducing the spread of Covid-19. He wrote: “Some groups protested, refusing to keep their distance, marching against travel restrictions — as if measures that governments must impose for the good of their people constitute some kind of political assault on autonomy or personal freedom.”
“You’ll never find such people protesting the death of George Floyd, or joining a demonstration because there are shanty towns where children lack water or education, or because there are whole families who have lost their income,” he added. “On such matters, they would never protest; they are incapable of moving outside of their own little world of interests.”