tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14168956.post8803967303487370514..comments2024-03-25T06:39:42.081-04:00Comments on Bonfire of the Vanities: Christ asks, 'Comfort my people' (Sunday homily)Fr Martin Foxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01375628123126091747noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14168956.post-53671913678902053152011-12-10T18:05:32.967-05:002011-12-10T18:05:32.967-05:00And of course, there are church dictates regarding...And of course, there are church dictates regarding the protection of children that enter in, also. I hope something can be worked out to keep EVERYONE safe.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14168956.post-16009932456863254932011-12-05T10:56:32.203-05:002011-12-05T10:56:32.203-05:00Anonymous:
Here are the concerns I am aware of:
...Anonymous:<br /><br />Here are the concerns I am aware of:<br /><br />1. We have a school, and the only facilities we could use for this would be in the school. As a result, there are anxieties about bringing into the school building folks who may have criminal records, mental health issues, and addictions. Will there be danger to the children?<br /><br />2. Related to this: the law specifies that various people who have committed various offenses, and/or have been registered as a sex offender, are not allowed within X yards of a school. Are we obliged to screen these folks to make sure none of the homeless coming at night are in that category? Do we, by inviting them in without distinction, incur any criminal or civil penalties?<br /><br />3. Insurance. Until recently, we could not find anyone who would write a liability insurance policy for our parishes for this. The Archdiocese, who normally provides insurance, told us it would <i>not</i> provide insurance for this--we would have to find another insurer. We have had several say no. <br /><br />I was not the one doing the shopping so I can't say what those insurers' reasons were, but I would guess it's related to items 1 and 2 above.<br /><br />Realize that an insurer's job is to try to calculate potential upside liability--what would it have to pay if the worst happens? <br /><br />Realize also that the Catholic Church has what is called "deep pockets"--meaning lawyers looking for multiple parties to whom to assign liability, are motivated to seek out a potential defendant with large resources. That's us. Those losses are what the insurer promises money to repay. <br /><br />If an insurer refuses to write a policy, it can only be because it can't calculate how to be sure of a profit, at least at a price that wouldn't be deemed laughable. Think about that.<br /><br />Now, I recently got word of an insurance carrier offering a policy, but I haven't yet seen the written proposal. <br /><br />We have to look it over closely to make sure it actually provides the coverage we need, and isn't merely a figleaf.<br /><br />That will involve having it reviewed by an attorney, perhaps more than one.Fr Martin Foxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01375628123126091747noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14168956.post-56157586542963692502011-12-04T18:42:08.070-05:002011-12-04T18:42:08.070-05:00So, if the other churches in your town are ready t...So, if the other churches in your town are ready to go what are the hurdles holding up Catholic participation?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com