Las Vegas bishop requires fingerprinting of ushers, other Church volunteers
July 05, 2010
Bishop Joseph Pepe of Las Vegas is requiring the fingerprinting of all parish volunteers, whether or not they work directly with children, according to the Las Vegas Review-Journal. “The newer policy was not the result of a singular event,” said Rachel Wilkinson of Rogich Communications, the diocese’s public relations firm, and will “further protect children.”
“It's better to go overboard than not go far enough,” said Sister Mary Ann Walsh, director of media relations for the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. “People who abuse children are not monsters you recognize at first sight.”
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Posted by: extremeCatholic -
Jul. 05, 2010 11:00 PM ET USA
I'd like to know of a single case of an accusation of sexual abuse against a lay Catholic where the investigation was assisted in some way through fingerprints. Frankly, this is sadly a part of the bishops' desperate attempt to redirect the focus of the sexual scandal away from the John Jay report's findings: 81 pct homosexual priests molesting teen boys. Identity is almost never an issue: the victim can identify the suspect, so fingerprinting adds little or nothing but false sense of security
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Posted by: stpetric -
Jul. 05, 2010 10:30 PM ET USA
I would become suddenly a whole lot less eager to volunteer for anything in Las Vegas.
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Posted by: Gregory108 -
Jul. 05, 2010 8:27 PM ET USA
And just how will fingerprints PREVENT abuse? Aren't they an after-the- fact "remedy"? Why stop at fingerprints? Why not buccal smears or blood for DNA? Pick holier people! Teach sexual morality! Exclude those with perverse proclivities! I'd draw the line at fingerprinting. Government has enough control over us, the people. No sense in giving them more! Don't fingerprint me, bro!
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Posted by: -
Jul. 05, 2010 3:00 PM ET USA
Why stop with ushers? Fingerprint the whole parish, zeroing in on those who have regular contact with children, i.e., parents. Can't be too careful.
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Posted by: Gil125 -
Jul. 05, 2010 2:26 PM ET USA
This makes sense. Look at all the ushers who abused children.
