WICHITA (KS)
KSNW TV
May 16, 2019
By Stephanie Bergmann
While the priest sex abuse scandal has dominated headlines lately, churches of all denominations are dealing with another dangerous dilemma, whether to allow sex offenders seeking forgiveness to attend services where kids are present.
A church in Derby had to decide whether redemption is worth the risk of welcoming a convicted pedophile into the congregation.
“The prevalence (of child sex abuse) is unbelievable, how much is going on,” said Dr. Gary Hackney, a clinical psychologist.
While it’s impossible to know for sure how many kids are molested, estimates range from one in 10 to one in three.
Experts like Hackney, who work with pedophiles to try to keep them from re-offending, say the temptation is always there.
“That’s what people have to understand, it doesn’t go away,” said Hackney.
That’s why St. Mary Catholic Church in Derby took action, when convicted sex offender, Al Rocheleau, started going to Mass there.
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