Posted on 09/10/2015 3:32:00 PM PDT by NYer
Some mistakes can be erased with Confession and Reconciliation. Others require a laser. That’s the thinking behind a popular program sponsored by the Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Monterey, Calif., in which retired and off-duty physicians volunteer their time to remove tattoos from people who feel their ink is holding them back from putting past mistakes behind them.
Laser tattoo removal usually costs hundreds of dollars a session, but Catholic Charities offers laser treatments for $20 or less to people who go the extra mile to prove that transforming their physical appearance is just the first step in transforming their lives.
Anyone wanting to access the program has to submit a letter in writing explaining why they want their ink removed, sit for an in-person interview, and perform 20 hours of community service as evidence of their desire to change their lives in a positive way. Most cite difficulty in getting legitimate work or a yearning to be a better example to their children as key reasons why they want to get rid of their tattoos. Others say the memories the tattoos bring up are too painful to allow them to move on.
“We’re not really talking about decorative tattoos,” said program director Maria Runciman, in a press release explaining the program. “We see former prostitutes who were branded by their pimps with tattoos, people who were in abusive relationships and want the names of their abusers removed. Some people are embarrassed about their gang tattoos and don’t want their kids to see them. Some want to go into the military or get a job and need that swastika or swear word removed.”
The program was started in 1993 by a single doctor at Dominican Hospital with help from the local Knights of Malta. Today, it serves about 300 people every year, thanks to a staff of volunteer doctors and contributions from the Catholic community on California’s Central Coast – especially Catholic Charities, which stepped in to take over operations and save the program two years ago when Dominican Hospital closed down the rehabilitation center where the program had previously been housed.
Have NEVER understood the popularity of tattoos, ping!
Once upon a time I might have understood, but now with fifty-somethings in the midst of mid-life crisis getting them I cannot imagine any possible reason to be tattooed.
DANG!
That tattoo would require the Sons Of Anarchy removal process.
Here is another one that needs removing...
“Have NEVER understood the popularity of tattoos, ping!”
Me neither, I’m ugly enough as is.
Had a big, ugly fat woman with tats all over face, ta-tas and whoever knows where else come up on me in a bar last night. She grabbed my butt and said “Your kinda cute. Got a phone number?” I said’ Yeah. You got a pen?” She said “Yes.” I told her to to hurry and get back to it before the farmer got pissed.
The only acceptable tattoo is for a special forces necessity
That is it
All other tattoos are stupid, ugly and a deal breaker
Oh and any catholic should know, against the tenets of the church. Not like nuns don’t wear makeup and jewelry so no one should. No all married or single women are required to adhere to femininity they are not nuns
But because tattoos devalue the body
>>I cannot imagine any possible reason to be tattooed.<<
Me neither. I think most tattoos look “dirty” and suggest the owner is low class (military tattoos excluded of course).
I have seen lovely women who ink up their shoulders and arms like a coloring book — it looks like they have gangrene and makes them look street. Can you imagine a “Juicy” lower back tattoo on a 70 year old woman?
And people with large tattoos on their neck, chest or arms will NOT find employment outside of gas stations, fast food or tattoo parlors.
And don’t get me started on those stupid extra-large earlobe holes.
These idiots don’t realize they are sentencing themselves to work until the day they die since the will never get a job lucrative enough to put retirement savings away.
Fools, the lot of ‘em.
This effort by Catholic Charities is a great step for people who see their foolishness and want to erase it.
This is probably one of the best charitable initiatives they could have done. It’s aimed at gang members, but there are probably many other people who want to become Christians and have an angry tat they’d like removed.
I hope so.
I hate tattoos.
Me too!
I decided I didn't need to get a tattoo.
I had a Christian Cross put on my arm to commemorate my pilgrimage to Rome and the Vatican back in 2007 for my 50th birthday - went to mass on 7/7/7 that date quite by accident
Sorta similar situation. I was gigging in a house band. Some fat chick with tats decided to follow me home! I screamed around the country roads until I lost her. Had bad dreams though!
On our first liberty out of navy boot camp,
one of the guys in my company got himself a huge
tattoo of an eagle and corresponding decoration.
Plus, in a very large font, 029, our boot camp
company number. Imagine going through life with
a tattoo of your boot camp company number.
>I cannot imagine any possible reason to be tattooed.<<
I have some medical conditions, and a serious allergy to one type of antibiotic. I have considered having the tatted onto my left shoulder.
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