What are Catholic parishes doing to guard against child sexual abuse

[Roseeurekacross]

abc.net.au/news/2017-07-17/whats-the-church-doing-to-guard-against-child-sexual-abuse/8709708

The Catholic Church has acknowledged the number of priests identified by the child abuse royal commission is indefensible, and says it is working hard to make sure the abuse is never repeated.

But what does that mean for local parishes making changes to protect children into the future?

The Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse, first announced by the Gillard government in 2012, is due to deliver its final report at the end of this year.

What’s left for the royal commission?

It’s been almost four years since the child sexual abuse royal commission began hearings. But with so much ground to cover, what was it for and

 

[Deus_tecum]

I don’t know what teachers go through but volunteers who work in Catholic schools with kids such as sports coaches must undergo strict background checks, and take special classes. This is in our parish in the US. I have no idea if they are just using a local policy of it is national or international.

 

[Roseeurekacross]

Yes it happens here in Aus too now. But not just for the Catholic Church. In every organisation.

Kids and vulnerable adults.

 

[zab]

The priest abuse scandal was only a reflection of the sad state that our country and our world has come to, that corruption extended into the highest holy places. The Catholic Church has done much to correct and protect it members since the break of this scandal by setting up diocesan policies that must be followed. Just check out your diocese website for information. But apparently “the smoke of Satan” still lingers where it should not be-with the recent news of the drug raid in the Vatican and disruption of a homosexual orgy. It is always sad and humiliating to hear news like this but I am not really surprised. Even Christ was tempted by the devil, so it is no surprise that Satan would attack Christ’s church made up of weak human beings.

Secular society will never give up on reminding us about the abuse scandal. But what is ironic is that the secular society does nothing to protect society from sexual predators. In fact it even promotes deviant behavior and forces people to accept deviant behavior as “normal”. Do you think that public libraries would allow someone to come in and read to children about the stages of life in the womb, that marriage is between one man and one woman, and other moral issues? Why are public libraries all over the country allowing Drag Queens to read to our children? And what about the enforcement of gender neutral bathrooms? Do all the laws about decency and leud conduct go out the window when it comes to having a gay parade allowing nudes wearing only body paint?
At least the Church has not condoned the behavior of fallen priests. It would be good if the rest of society did the same.

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http://www.cbsnews.com/pictures/drag-queen-story-hour-at-nyc-library/](http://www.cbsnews.com/pictures/drag-queen-story-hour-at-nyc-library/)

 

[esieffe]

I don’t know what teachers go through but volunteers who work in Catholic schools with kids such as sports coaches must undergo strict background checks, and take special classes. This is in our parish in the US. I have no idea if they are just using a local policy of it is national or international.

In addition to the above, our parish has all children in religious education watch a film on what to do when encountering uncomfortable or hostile situations. This is with the permission of all parents.

 

[joeybaggz]

abc.net.au/news/2017-07-17/whats-the-church-doing-to-guard-against-child-sexual-abuse/8709708 But what does that mean for local parishes making changes to protect children into the future?

In the parish I attend, anyone volunteering for anything (and that includes lectors at mass, extraordinary mininsters of the Eucharist; not just working with children) must complete a counseling program in addition to passing a state police and FBI background check for offenses against children. So, they aren’t just sitting on their hands.

Heck, I can’t even volunteer to cook hamburgers at the yearly parish festival without undergoing this process.

 

[Crown_of_Stars]

There is a darkness that has fallen over Mother Church that is more terrifying than ever, a lukewarmness and a falling away, a feeling that She has been turned away from and abandoned. And I believe She has.

 

[Rosebud77]

There is a darkness that has fallen over Mother Church that is more terrifying than ever, a lukewarmness and a falling away, a feeling that She has been turned away from and abandoned. And I believe She has.

I agree totally

I came to Ireland believing it to be a safe and holy place to live out my solitary calling.

I just caught the tail end of the “old Ireland” as the Church had been … in the rural parish
warm welcoming and open place. Where I was welcomed into church and homes and urged to take communion even though still an anglican in name.

The parish was a huge one geographically, with 4 churches at wide intervals, A priest and at least two curates; I think 3. Daily mass and crowded Sunday masses, A relaxed attitude to mass attendance in some quarters with a hesitation I did nto understand then.

Then the first abuse scandal hit; Goldenbiridge .

And the stories started emerging and the waves grew bigger and darker.

Ryan and Murphy reports.

Many had known but the secrets had been hidden for loyalty to the Church.

And that escalated. as truth emerged. Darkness and scandal.

And yes, a darkness. I have only once been to a mass where there was that sense of fullness and peace and that was a dear friend, Franciscan friar , newly home from the missions.He strode up and down the aisle singing. The love of Jesus shining through Him .

And it has grown momentum, the darkness. No peace, no joy.

Now few masses and few priests and none of the orders renewing and a deep sense of loss here. The parish I am living in here has a priest from an international missionary order. 4 parishes in his care widely scattered. One mass a week at each.

Few at mass and no young people go any more here.

Not the Ireland it was when I came here. The soul has fled. Leaving a great void.

The only healing would be a great influx if eg asian priests and even then not the Irish church any more. And the result here of the abuse that was so massive.

Where they committed acts of darkness, darkness gained ground.

 

[tvknight415]

Well (sadly) our parish is working hard to not have anymore children in it, so it will become a moot point in 9 years or so unless some younger people with kids join. My daughter (going into 4th grade) is currently the youngest child in religious ed, and my 4-year-old is the next (last) child in the parish behind her.

Ahhhh the joys of an aging small rural parish (yes, lots of sarcasm in that statement).