New Directives for Priests
This past week, the Archdiocese of Cincinnati issued a detailed list of inappropriate behaviors for priests. On the list, priests may not kiss, tickle, allow lap sitting, wrestle with, give bear hugs to or piggy-back rides to children.
According to one newspaper, this shows real progress in the church. Personally, I have but one comment on this: YOU’VE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME!!!
A directive telling priests it is not alright to kiss children who may be too scared or reverent to say anything about it making them uncomfortable, or have parents who feel the same way - this is not common sense. This is what every priest should know from being a human being in communion with other human beings. This is not progress. This is the appearance of progress.
According to Jesus, children are preeminent in the kingdom of God. Almost every major church has taken this issue seriously and has instituted a no-tolerance policy on pedophilia or pederasty. Clergy lose their jobs immediately, are defrocked, or at least are never again placed in a position to interact with children.
Are we seriously supposed to be elated by the “progress” of a church that just figured out some children and parents might be uncomfortable with lap-sitting? Have they figured out that child abuse is also something to direct their clergy against?
Sorry for the rant….
Discussion Area - Leave a Comment