Priest Goes Viral After Photographed Blessing Parishioners With Water Pistol Full Of Holy Water

A Catholic priest has gone viral after images were shared of him socially distancing from churchgoers by using a water pistol to dispense Holy Water.

Father Tim Pelc, who lives in Detroit, Michigan, implemented the clever solution during Holy Week last month after the city introduced a lockdown due to the coronavirus pandemic.

However, he's ended up the unexpected recipient of viral fame after the funny photos were shared online by St Ambrose Parish.

St Ambrose Parish/Larry Peplin

In the snaps, Father Tim can be seen wearing a mask and shield over his face, while he holds a water pistol in a gloved hand, shooting it through the open window of a car in a sort of 'drive-by-blessing'.

Sharing the photos, St Ambrose Parish wrote: "Blessing of the Easter Foods, April 11, 2020.

"Adapting to the need for social distancing, St. Ambrose continued its tradition of Blessing of Easter Food Baskets, drive-thru style.

"Yes, that's Fr. Tim using a squirt gun full of Holy Water!"

Speaking to Buzzfeed, Father Tim said: "The original idea was to do something for the kids of the parish.

"They were about ready to have an Easter unlike any of their past, so I thought, 'What can we still do that would observe all the protocols of social distancing?'"

He put on his thinking cap and eventually came up with the idea of a water gun - he even checked in with a pal who is an emergency room doctor to ensure it was safe. Not only did the friend say it was safe (and fun) he was also able to provide the priest with the proper PPE he would need to carry out the service.

Both Father Tim and St Ambrose are amazed by the popularity of the photos, which were used in a Reddit Photoshop Battle thread, and shocked how far they've reached, with Father Tim saying the post has even been viewed a couple of times in the Vatican.

Christine Busque, who manages the church's Facebook page, told Buzzfeed: "People wanted to have a bright side to the things that are happening in the world right now.

"They saw that, and I think they saw that he cared about his parishioners enough to want to keep his traditions alive but work [within] the CDC guidelines of being safe."

Topics: Viral, Coronavirus, US News

Claire Reid

Claire is a journalist at LADbible who, after dossing around for a few years, went to Liverpool John Moores University. She graduated with a degree in Journalism and a whole load of debt. When not writing words in exchange for money she is usually at home watching serial killer documentaries surrounded by cats. You can contact Claire at [email protected]

@ClaireReid19