Waxing Poetically: Addressing Culture with a Twist of Poetry

Photo: Most Holy Name of Jesus Parish, Pittsburg, PA

Apparently, the Archdiocese of Cincinnati has drawn up a list of inappropriate behaviors which its priests must avoid if they want to love and serve their Lord. The list includes kissing, hugging, tickling and even wrestling and makes only a few exceptions for friendly gestures such as handshakes, pats on the back and high fives. The list comes in response to a recent earnest and sorrowful apology by the Pope this past year for years unrecognized abuse the Church. Victim advocacy groups are generally in support of the measure.

Yet, my contention is this: With all respect to victim advocacy, is there something to be said about a society who tells its children that priests, police, doctors and parents are perfect people who can do wrong? While I understand that emotional trauma can easily silence a victim, (even for 30 years or more) shouldn’t children be told that bad behavior is bad behavior NO MATTER who the victimizer is? I think it was best said by the late George Carlin in his book When Will Jesus Bring the Pork Chops when he reminded Catholic children to speak up by kicking such priests in the groin and saying, “F*** you, Father! I don’t do that!” and then running away and TELLING EVERYBODY! It is that simple!

So I beg you, Catholics! For “the love of God,” tell your kids the truth and raise them with common sense and of course… wax poetically!

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