Nice guys Tom Hanks and Ron “Opie” Howard couldn’t use their squeaky clean images to their advantage when dealing with Rome’s Catholic diocese. Rome church officials are offended by their new film, Angels & Demons. The officials have banned Hanks and his crew from filming in two of the city churches.

Angles & Demons is the prequel to the box office hit, The Da Vinci Code. The Da Vinci Code book angered many Catholics and the film put the religious over the edge. A diocese spokesperson explained the reason Hanks, Howard and crew were banned from filming is because the movie does not conform to the views of the Catholic church.

In an attempt to break a world record for most hours flying using party balloons, a Brazilian Roman catholic Priest, suspended by 1,000 helium balloons, is now missing. His aim was to raise money to build a rest-stop church for truckers.

Even on my best day I couldn’t make this shit up.

Wacky news story of the day or sign of the impending apocalypse? Either way, this is why I listen to the BBC in the morning:

“Father Adelir de Carli lifted off from the port city of Paranagua on Sunday, equipped with a parachute, thermal suit, satellite phone and a GPS device.

A sea and air rescue operation is under way after he lost contact with port authority officials late on Sunday.

He wanted to break a 19-hour record for the most hours flying with balloons.

Father Carli was hoping to raise money to fund a rest stop for lorry drivers in Paranagua, one of Brazil’s major ports for agricultural products.”

Yeah, I don’t think I have anything else to add. Complete lyrics to Jimmy Webb’s “Up, Up and Away” and a full wikipedia synopsis of The Flying Nun after the jump. (more…)

What a surprise. The highly-evolved (insert sarcasm here) folks at Westboro Baptist Church wish Heath Ledger a wonderful eternity IN HELL!

Sometimes I think we’re already there…