Can a priest be alone with 8 year olds in a classroom?

[notredame_999]

Can a priest teach a 2nd grade parochial class? I ask this because I heard somewhere that there are new rules to where a priest can’t be alone with children. If anyone that is involved in catholic schools can let me know that would be great.

 

[smithm29]

I don’t believe that’s a rule anywhere.

 

[ConstantineTG]

If its a class, then there’s no problem. He can’t be alone with 1 8-year old. But if its a class, then its fine.

 

[smithm29]

Is that seriously a rule? That’s ridiculous. That’s got to be a diocesan rule somewhere- there’s no way that’s binding everywhere.

 

[Jehoshua]

Why?
Only fools would think that every priest is a paedophile and in fact numerically very few priests have been convicted. In fact comparatively protestant denominations and the public school system (in the US) has a higher rate of abuse than anywhere in the Catholic Church. Thats not to justify the acts however. It is indeed better for the priest who breaks his divine ordination through this grave sin to tie a millstone around his neck and cast himself into the sea.

But the measure mentioned in the OP would seem to me to be kowtowing to the deceptions and attacks of the enemies of the Church, the atheists and such who tar every member of the clergy with the same tainted brush to try and bring the Church low and destroy it.

Not to mention that in a legal context it would be problematic as it would be discrimination based on profession without any proof of wrongdoing, which at least in my country would be illegal.

 

[notredame_999]

If its a class, then there’s no problem. He can’t be alone with 1 8-year old. But if its a class, then its fine.

what about a situation where a kid gets in trouble or has to do his homework during recess and stays in the classroom with the priest/teacher when all the other kids are gone? Is this allowed?

 

[smithm29]

Why?
Only fools would think that every priest is a paedophile and in fact numerically very few priests have been convicted. In fact comparatively protestant denominations and the public school system (in the US) has a higher rate of abuse than anywhere in the Catholic Church. Thats not to justify the acts however. It is indeed better for the priest who breaks his divine ordination through this grave sin to tie a millstone around his neck and cast himself into the sea.

But the measure mentioned in the OP would seem to me to be kowtowing to the deceptions and attacks of the enemies of the Church, the atheists and such who tar every member of the clergy with the same tainted brush to try and bring the Church low and destroy it.

Not to mention that in a legal context it would be problematic as it would be discrimination based on profession without any proof of wrongdoing, which at least in my country would be illegal.

Agreed completely. This rule should have no place in the modern world if it exists (and I’m not at all convinced that it does).

 

[ConstantineTG]

what about a situation where a kid gets in trouble or has to do his homework during recess and stays in the classroom with the priest/teacher when all the other kids are gone? Is this allowed?

I don’t think there is a rule against it. But priests recognize that they also have to protect themselves against fear mongering. Some kids may exaggerate priest actions just because his/her parents told them to report any suspicious actions by the priest. And sometimes it could be nothing. Case in point, my former RC parish priest was telling of a story where after Mass, at the entrance/exit of the church he was greeting people, there was a kid whom he started kidding around with. He poked the kid by his tummy making a funny comment how big and chubby he’s getting. This is in plain sight of the public exiting the parish. The kid told his parents he was touched inappropriately by the priest . So priests who recognize the situation would also need to wisen up and protect themselves because even a false accusation can be the end of them.

 

[notredame_999]

I don’t think there is a rule against it. But priests recognize that they also have to protect themselves against fear mongering. Some kids may exaggerate priest actions just because his/her parents told them to report any suspicious actions by the priest. And sometimes it could be nothing. Case in point, my former RC parish priest was telling of a story where after Mass, at the entrance/exit of the church he was greeting people, there was a kid whom he started kidding around with. He poked the kid by his tummy making a funny comment how big and chubby he’s getting. This is in plain sight of the public exiting the parish. The kid told his parents he was touched inappropriately by the priest . So priests who recognize the situation would also need to wisen up and protect themselves because even a false accusation can be the end of them.

Ya its really sad. I asked this question because I’m discerning a vocation and God’s will but the thought of no children being around makes me really depressed. Then I considered the possibility of being a teacher or principal at the parish I would be assinged to, yet it seems as if many dioceses have implemented policies that 1.) make any accused priest guilty until proved innocent, and 2.) minimize any alone time between priests and children. I cannot imagine a priesthood that doesnt involve being alone with children, either as a teacher, principal, or even athletic coach.

 

[Bl_Pope_Pius_IX]

First of all, this hype about Priests being P(a)edofiles will never be completely conquered if we don’t prove them wrong. Priests must be trusted. If it is a rule, then it must be investigated immensely.

Second of all, I am not sure how many Priests even teach grammar schools anymore. (My Catholic High School lacks a Chaplain…)

Thirdly, if it be God’s Will that I become a Priest and that I serve through teaching, you can bet it wont be in grammar schools (personal preference over fear though).

Pius :knight1:

 

[Corki]

what about a situation where a kid gets in trouble or has to do his homework during recess and stays in the classroom with the priest/teacher when all the other kids are gone? Is this allowed?

In our diocese, the rules would discourage any adult being alone with a student. If it is absolutely necessary, the door must remain open. The rule is the same for priests, teachers, aides, everybody.

The only exception I know of is Confession.

 

[notredame_999]

First of all, this hype about Priests being P(a)edofiles will never be completely conquered if we don’t prove them wrong. Priests must be trusted. If it is a rule, then it must be investigated immensely.

Second of all, I am not sure how many Priests even teach grammar schools anymore. (My Catholic High School lacks a Chaplain…)

Thirdly, if it be God’s Will that I become a Priest and that I serve through teaching, you can bet it wont be in grammar schools (personal preference over fear though).

Pius :knight1:

I agree priests must be trusted. I think part of “the problem in catechesis” that so many CAF posters talk about is not having the priest involved in the catholic schools with young kids to explain the faith. Instead we put off catechesis to lay men and women who do their best, but maybe they are not the ideal ones to articulate the faith and know 100% what the church teaches.

I am not affiliated with the SSPX although I have SSPX sympathies. I have noticed that in their schools the priests take an active role either as administrators or teachers. This is what we should go back to.

 

[faithfully]

In our diocese, the rules would discourage any adult being alone with a student. If it is absolutely necessary, the door must remain open. The rule is the same for priests, teachers, aides, everybody.

The only exception I know of is Confession.

This is the same in our parish. It’s for ALL adults.

My “go-to” priest says he refuses to be left alone with any one kid. He hates that. But he’s not about to deal with something like the above priest did. He is such an amazing man. He has lots of neices and nephews. And clearly loves children. And he seems ONLY interested in protecting their innocence and their souls…

Having been in a parish with more than one abuser. One of which I just can’t rememer (which is wierd) the other was so odd, I’m suprised anyone trusted him… but you know…

Sadly, we live in a world where we are perhaps hyper protective. It’s unfortunate, but it is a reality.

 

[Catholic90]

what about a situation where a kid gets in trouble or has to do his homework during recess and stays in the classroom with the priest/teacher when all the other kids are gone? Is this allowed?

Then the door must be open or they must be other people present (other students or other adults). It is for the safety of BOTH the student and teacher that more than one person be present.

You will go through safety training where they spell out quite clearly what is and is not allowed.

FYI, usually during recess, if the kid has homework, they will be doing it in the office area, not the classroom, at least in my school, because recess is the teacher’s lunch time.

 

[notredame_999]

Its too bad these dicoeses cant just admit that these abuses that took place were primarily homosexual in nature.

 

[laszlo]

Teachers commit 4 times as many pedophil acts than priests related (in out of 1000 measurement). In my local paper almost every week there is one reported. Can teachers be alone with 8 years old?

Parents and relatives commit 10 time as many sexual abuses than priest. Can parents and relatives be with their children?

Since 1950 there were 100,000 priests in the US. From that one less than 1000 was accused with sexual abuses. Should we think that due to that the 99,000 others are suspect to crime?

 

[StJudePray4Me]

Its too bad these dicoeses cant just admit that these abuses that took place were primarily homosexual in nature.

What does the gender of the abused child have to do with anything?

 

[Catholic90]

Can teachers be alone with 8 years old?

Not alone one on one with a door closed, they can’t. At least not at my school.

 

[ConstantineTG]

Ya its really sad. I asked this question because I’m discerning a vocation and God’s will but the thought of no children being around makes me really depressed. Then I considered the possibility of being a teacher or principal at the parish I would be assinged to, yet it seems as if many dioceses have implemented policies that 1.) make any accused priest guilty until proved innocent, and 2.) minimize any alone time between priests and children. I cannot imagine a priesthood that doesnt involve being alone with children, either as a teacher, principal, or even athletic coach.

The same priest I was talking about had glass windows installed on his office to that he’s always in plain view from at least the secretary for these alone times. Its not impossible, but there have to be extra steps to be taken, for the protection of both the children and the priest himself.

Yes, and this same priest knows how sad the situation really is. He blames society for being sexually charged, promoting how wonderful and great the pleasure of sex is, and yet reviles priests when they fall into their temptation. Not that the culpability of the priest should be any less, its just that the society we live in is so geared towards sex that we should always take extra precaution.

 

[ConstantineTG]

Teachers commit 4 times as many pedophil acts than priests related (in out of 1000 measurement). In my local paper almost every week there is one reported. Can teachers be alone with 8 years old?

Parents and relatives commit 10 time as many sexual abuses than priest. Can parents and relatives be with their children?

Since 1950 there were 100,000 priests in the US. From that one less than 1000 was accused with sexual abuses. Should we think that due to that the 99,000 others are suspect to crime?

Priests just get blamed more because they’re the ones who call us out for our sins. They are the moral authorities of our communities. We just expect more from them.