'We Are Not A Hate Group' Says Priest Of Mount Saint Michael's P - Spokane, North Idaho News & Weather KHQ.com

SPOKANE, Wash. - Earlier this week the Southern Poverty Law Center released its annual list of hate groups in the United States. The list has sixteen different groups in Washington state alone. There are two based in Spokane: "Crusaders for Yahweh" and "Mount St. Michael's Parish." Those two are both considered hate groups according to the S-P-L-C, but members of Mount St. Michael's are upset and say they do not deserve to be on that list.

KHQ Local News spoke with Father Casimir Puskorius of Mount St. Michael's and he said that though they do not associate themselves with modern day Catholics, he said that certainly does not make them a hate group. He says his traditionalist Catholic Church does not hate Jews like some have said, calling that an "outrageous statement." Father Puskorius said he prays for the Jews everyday so that one day they may conform to the belief's of his traditionalist church.

Puskorius said he takes issue with the leaders of the modern day Catholic Church saying that Popes like Pope John Paul II and Pope Benedict are "non-popes." He fears that modern day Catholics will soon change their position on same sex marriage and abortion. He thinks someday in the modern church that priests will be able to marry. Father Puskorius said that despite their traditional beliefs that does not make them a hate group.