Sex offenders don’t have much in the way of friends. Many communities restrict where sex offenders can live. Many communities put common sense restrictions on these offenders. Can’t live or come too close to schools. Uh huh. Can’t live or come too close to parks. Check. Libraries. I guess so.
These measures seem fine, reasonable even. They are sex offenders after all. Who wants them?
God. That’s Who.
But now a Wisconsin town is considering adding to the list of places that are no-go for sex offenders. Churches.
November 23, 2010 at 5:10 pm
Pat, as the relative and friend of several victims of sexual abuse, I don't believe sexual offenders, especially child molesters should be allowed to attend regular church services. It's just too dangerous. These charecters are con artists who know how to worm their way into the hearts of naive, trusting, well meaning people. Their perverted sexuality is on 7/24. These folks will never disclose who they really are unless they are forced to. The church should have some kind of mission work to these lost sols, but they worship as a group, it should be in one where no children are present, ever.
November 23, 2010 at 7:39 pm
This is why my kids stay close- I want them to have a childhood- but I watch the people around them closely
November 23, 2010 at 8:00 pm
I can see them being required to inform the pastor ahead of time about everything and to fully cooperate with the pastor and staff regarding when they can be there, when they can't, where they can be on the grounds, and so on. Any deviation from what is specifically allowed should be criminal trespass and violation of their parole.
And it should be up to the pastor if they want him there at all. Freedom of association after all.
But I would say the pastor should only allow him to a specific public mass, sit in a specific location, and be with an usher at all times who meets them at the door and is with them until they leave again.
Would this be a huge inconvenience for the Church, oh yes. But also a work of mercy. He calls us to suffer, even for those who little deserve it.
Of course, if there is more than a very small number of people needing this sort of thing, I agree that it would be better to provide for something separate at another time and perhaps another place. Attending mass at a monastery might also be a good solution.
November 23, 2010 at 10:36 pm
The only cure for these people is God. All other "treatments" have been proven ineffective. By essentially telling them they are not welcome at churches, whether it's for the children's good or not, you're sending a message that even God does not want them, the one and only true cure and protection for your children. This is a dangerous and slippery slope.
November 23, 2010 at 11:57 pm
I recall someone saying something about doing something to the least; then saying that those who do something to the least, do the same to Him?
How easy it is to rationalize justification for sin, isn't it? How easy it is
to turn away from those who need help, isn't it?
No wonder our society values nothing it cannot "prove" and measure
in a double-blinded study. No wonder marriages mean nothing. No
wonder the Catholic Church ignores those who implore its help? Why
should it be any different than its adherents, who pick and chose, like
the "Cafeteria Catholics" they are, including His Holiness and his fellow bishops and clergy, what horrendous, unaddressed wrongs are
"acceptable" to be tolerated, while ignoring pleas for help.
The judgement is here, people. It is now, people. God is not distant. He is very much here and he loves every single person, or they would
not have been created. We must reach out to ALL. Who among us knows how God sees each of us? All unrepentance leads to eternal separation from God, when it persists to the end of life.