By R. Inkrat, Hockey News Reporter
NEW YORK CITY, JULY 13, 2011 - The famed Cardinal Richelieu Cup, en route from Paris to Portland, Maine, for the Morning Hockey Club playoff awards ceremony, was finally released by United States Customs officials in the Port of New York, but not without controversy.
The Cup must be accompanied by a member of the religious order that acts as its guardian between MHC award ceremonies, and Brother Etienne Du Fond, who was dressed in clerical garb of the 16th century, drew the notice of Department of Homeland Security inspectors at the Port Authority building as he stood alongside the container holding the Cup. When they approached him to question him, Du Fond clutched the Cup crate and refused to let go. Since he speaks no English, and the DHS inspectors spoke no French, the situation quickly escalated out of hand.
"The guy just freaked," said DHS Under Deputy Provisional Assistant Secretary for New York James P. O'Malley. "I think he thought we were trying to take the cup. He just kept hollering at us in that Frenchy language he talks."
Bystanders reported Du Fond was loudly saying, "Non, ne touchez pas le Coup Richelieu!! Vous etes fou!" Loosely translated, this is, "Don't touch the Richelieu Cup. You're crazy!"
O'Malley pointed out that DHS Secretary Janet Napolitano has been raising the threat levels and alert status for terrorist activities by fanatical Christians, and certainly Du Fond, dressed as he was in odd appearing but obviously clerical clothes, set off alarms in everyone's mind.
In any case, this reporter has verified that the Cup is now en route North toward Portland despite the delays. Many are concerned that it will be difficult to assure its arrival in time for the award ceremony on Friday. But the escort of FBI and local police with the Cup can be expected to help.
Du Fond remains in custody in an undisclosed location, rumored to be Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, though neither DHS nor the Department of Justice would confirm that.
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