OREGON
Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests
Posted by David Clohessy on July 05, 2012
An insurance company is insisting that an Oregon church
–disclose to its members the identity of sex offenders who attend,
–let those offenders attend only one predetermined service each week,
–assign them an escort while they’re at the church, and
–bar them from participating in any child or youth programs.
We applaud the company’s decision. We urge other companies to do likewise. And we urge other institutions – religious and secular – to do likewise.
Let’s start with the tragic fact that one in four girls and one in eight boys will be sexually abused in childhood. Given those devastating figures, it should be clear that the status quo is extraordinarily risky for kids.
(Imagine what adults would do if one in four cars were stolen or one in eight homes were burglarized.)
Obviously, something must be done. What better place to start than in churches? The rest of the week, parents must worry about teachers, babysitters, neighbors, relatives, coaches, tutors, day care employees and those giving music, chess, or ballet lessons. Shouldn’t parents have an hour or two on Sunday morning where they can be assured that their kids are safe?
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