In Priests We Mistrust

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel today reports on a new policy of the Milwaukee Archdiocese to target "inappropriate" behavior of priests.

ALL priests would be subject to searches, not only those with histories of "problematic behavior."

(Excerpt)

Priests in the Catholic Archdiocese of Milwaukee can be required to consent to unannounced searches of their homes at any time of the day or night if church officials suspect or know they have been involved in sexual conduct, alcohol or drug abuse, or other behavior deemed inappropriate by Archbishop Timothy Dolan, according to a policy change announced to clergy last week.

The new policy, which was mailed to clergy members starting last week, appears to be the only one of its kind in the country. The policy covers more than 400 priests and 150 deacons.

As the archdiocese deems necessary, clerics will have to sign a form agreeing to the searches and other restrictions, according to the policy documents.

"Failure to comply with the restrictions could cause a reduction in salary and/or benefits provided to the member by the Archdiocese of Milwaukee," the documents state.

"We have not heard about these unannounced visits in other dioceses," said William Ryan, a spokesman for the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, who was given copies of the new policy by a reporter this week. Dolan is chairman of that group's Committee on Priestly Life and Ministry.

"No one else has anything like this as far as I can tell," said Father Robert Silva, president of the National Federation of Priests' Councils. Those groups advise their respective archbishops on issues of concern...

Several priests in the archdiocese described themselves in interviews this week as upset and livid and said they were struggling to make sense of the documents.

Under the new policy, clergy members may be:

--Subject to unscheduled home visits that may be conducted "at any time of the day or night, seven days per week." The checks can include areas in plain view as well as rooms, closets, desks or bureau drawers.

--Required to get approval for out-of-town or vacation travel, and to travel with another person approved by the program managers.

--Forbidden to own or possess a computer unless otherwise authorized and may also be prohibited from using any computer outside of his residence. Participants in the program must allow the program coordinator to check computers for "forbidden activities, e.g., unauthorized chat rooms, forbidden Web sites, etc."

--Forbidden "to own or possess any indecent or pornographic material, e.g. magazines, periodicals, movies, books, etc."

--Required to maintain a daily mileage log indicating start and finish mileage as well as destination. The log and odometer of the car will be inspected regularly.
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This new policy means EVERY priest would be subjected to intense monitoring.

One could consider this a dramatic proactive step to address the Clergy Sex Abuse Scandal.

Personally, I think it's an unwarranted intrusion. It's a guilty until proven innocent approach.

Although the new policy would go a long way toward weeding out problem priests, it strips good priests, the vast majority of the clergy, of their privacy. It is grounded on the assumption that no priest can be trusted.

The Church has been condemned for not responding strongly enough to the Sex Abuse Scandal. In the Milwaukee Archdiocese, it most likely will be condemned for going too far.

Damned if you do and damned if you don't.