http://www.jsonline.com/news/state/jun03/145739.asp

I wouldn't want to make HIM mad. :)

-- Skoobouy (skoobouy@hotmail.com), June 05, 2003

Answers

The "Pinning Padre" ...

(In our sick society, though, the kid's parents may bring a molestation case against this decent priest.)

-- J. F. Gecik (jfgecik@hotmail.com), June 05, 2003.

I have seen a Mexican priest wrestle to get money for his orphanage.

-- Elpidio Gonzalez (egonzalez@srla.org), June 05, 2003.

that is classic.

definately the masculine image of priesthood which has been lost in recent media portrayal.

i wish we had more priests who would fight for their church.

-- paul (dontsendmemail@notanaddress.com), June 06, 2003.

Fighting-priest quits wrestling ring 10:59 a.m. ET (1500 GMT) June 1, 1998

MEXICO CITY - Mexican wrestling was to become the undisputed domain of "Satan,'' "Demon'' and "Lucifer'' Friday when fighting Roman Catholic priest "Friar Storm'' takes off his mask after 23 years in the ring.

Sergio Gutierrez was to remove his red and gold mask, a traditional act of retirement in Mexico's colorful wrestling circuit, to dedicate himself full-time to the street children he launched a wrestling career to support.

"I'm taking off my mask, but I hope people will still support my little puppies,'' Gutierrez told Spanish language television network CBS-Telenoticias.

The 3,000 street children and orphans fed, clothed and educated by the priest over more than two decades are known as ''The Puppies of Friar Storm.''

"Thanks to the wrestling, this house has produced among others three doctors, 16 teachers, 12 computer technicians, three lawyers and two future priests,'' Gutierrez said at his orphanage outside the capital, near the ancient Aztec pyramids of Teotihuacan.

"That is my greatest satisfaction, though my life's dream is still to establish a city for children.''

Friar Storm, now 53, has been a feature of the Mexican wrestling world for 23 years and a priest for 25, dedicating his prize money to his children's home.

His retirement was scheduled to take place in Mexico City's Arena Mexico, where famous fighters like "The Saint'', ''Hurricane Ramirez'', "Blue Demon'' and "Tonina Jackson'' helped make wrestling one of Mexico's most popular spectator sports.

Why "Friar Storm'' as a nom de guerre?

"Friar because I'm a priest ... Storm because once you get into the ring you're everything but a priest,'' he said.

Gutierrez' career as a fighter won applause not just in Mexico. He fought in Japan 14 times.

And the years have certainly left their mark.

"I got crooked thumbs, a broken nose, a busted arm, three cracked ribs and a broken ankle. Thank God the fighting is make believe,'' he said ironically, adding that the macho sport of flying kicks and bone-crushing falls was not just "pure pantomime.''

"They've sent me to hospital three times but, thanks be to God, I've never put any of my adversaries in hospital.''

Friar Storm will keep on fighting, unmasked and outside the ring, for his children.

But he has taken care to ensure the legend will live on, training a 21-year-old former street kid and future lawyer and priest who will wear his mask under the name "Friar Storm Junior''.

Junior is currently ranked third in the national wrestling ranking.

-- Enrique Ortiz (eaortiz@yahoo.com), June 09, 2003.

enrique, another great story.

these are examples of what needs to be shown to the world, that priests are still there to fight for what is right in this world.

whoever is impersonating skoobouy, youre a real simpleton. KNOCK IT OFF

-- paul (dontsendmemail@notanaddress.com), June 12, 2003.