Interesting stuff from the Arlington Diocese, where parents made their feelings clear:
The Arlington Catholic diocese’s efforts to prevent sexual abuse of children in Catholic schools and religious programs backfired Monday night when angry parents filled a Manassas church to demand that a proposed “Good Touch, Bad Touch” program be canceled.
In a four-hour hearing ending at 11 p.m., a majority of the 230 people at All Saints Catholic Church hooted, booed and hurled catcalls at a handful of diocesan employees, who defended the program.
Parents complained that “Good Touch, Bad Touch” was inappropriate for young children, that parents had little or no input in selecting the program and that the true problem was abusive clerics, not children.
“If clerical abuse was the problem to be addressed, I don’t understand why children are being made repositories for information that’s beyond their ability to comprehend,” said Virginia state Rep. Bob Marshall, a Catholic representing Loudon and Prince William counties in the 13th District.
“I realize the big problem the diocese has,” said Eleanor Kelly, a Catholic from Front Royal. “The insurance companies won’t insure you unless you show there are [preventive] programs.”
At one point, the crowd began chanting the rosary to drown out Catherine Nolan, the diocesan director of child protection and safety
Okay, clarify for me. Is this the same program that’s been controversial in Boston?