One of the requirements in this diocese for all clergy, seminarians, and paid staff in parishes is that they take two sexual abuse/misconduct prevention classes, one targeted at protecting children, one dealing with issues for and about adults. I spent my Thursday at the Adult class.
I wanted to take a shower when I came home.
I understand the importance of this training, and I buy into the ways we need to prevent such bad acts and protect ourselves as clergy.
I just wish this was a different world, and we didn't have to think about it. One of my seminary classmates was there with me, and she and I were disturbed to see that one description of bad acting sounded frighteningly like some behavior we've observed in one of our classmates, who has, as they say, "issues." The surprising thing in both of our minds is how we thought our rigorous "process of discernment" was supposed to take folks like that off the front burner until they had worked through those issues. I guess it doesn't always work that way. Dang.
I came home to wonderful, delightfully sane PH, who doesn't have any issues (or any issues he has complement mine delightfully). We went out for an anniversary dinner that we could ill afford, but life is short and we both were ready for a treat. It cleaned away that icky feeling I'd had all day in the class. Life is good.
I'm past my whine-fest of the other day - thanks for understanding.
I hear you we have had to go through the same thing. I felt the same thing afterword.
ReplyDeleteAnd no it doesn't seem to keep them from getting in. I think they are good at looking good when they need to.
I wish we didn't have to even HAVE those classes. I'm still looking for Lake Wobegone.
ReplyDeleteAs to your anniversary dinner, you and your husband SHOULD do those things on such a special day. Happy anniversary!