Priests, Catholic Volunteers Will No Longer Be Alone with Children

CTV
June 23, 2016

http://montreal.ctvnews.ca/priests-catholic-volunteers-will-no-longer-be-alone-with-children-1.2958787

The archdiocese of Montreal is implementing a plan that would forbid priests and church volunteers from being alone with children.

Final details of the plan are still being worked out as the Catholic Church looks for ten parishes in and around the city to implement the pilot project later this year.

Canon Francois Sarrazin said that given the scandals that have rocked the Catholic Church, the plan makes sense.

"There is a time for everything," he said, pointing out the idea has been in the works for several years.

"The diocese of Montreal has been working on a plan to 'filter' volunteers, to investigate parish staff, and not just the priests, but all people who are involved in the parish."

This means that all staff, youth leaders, and priests will have to be accompanied by someone else whenever they are with children, the elderly, or anyone else in a vulnerable situation.

"Our society, in which the church plays a role, our society should be confident that the church is protecting children, vulnerable people, and our families," said Sarrazin.

The Catholic Church has been embroiled in scandal for decades as cases of sexual abuse by trusted figures have come to light.

That's why for some, the measures announced Thursday are not enough.

"The victims that I've spoken with today are disappointed that it is such a small step," said Carlo Tarini of Quebec's Association of Victims of Priests.

"It's a pilot project. It's a few churches in Montreal alone, while this should have been province-wide and country-wide several years ago."

He said if a priest is a pedophile, he should not be allowed to be a priest.

"If two percent of hockey coaches would be known pedophiles, would we allow our kids to go to hockey school?" said Tarini.

Most recently the Clerics of St. Viateur have agreed to pay $30 million to victims of serial abuse at a school for the deaf, and a West Island Deacon pleaded guilty to child pornography cases.

In 2013 a judge signed off on an $18 million settlement for victims of abuse by the Congregation of the Holy Cross.