[Vince Ferrer]

Although this may be getting much more popular because of the scandals, it isn't new. It has been the common practice for many of the churches I have attended for decades.

Now a lot of good priests will be affected.

The good priests will be eager to implement anything like this that will restore their reputation. Note that this is being implemented voluntarily, from the bottom up, not being forced from the top down. The good priests who haven't been heard from much in this are now being heard from in many subtle ways. Every reform these priests make creates an uncomfortable choice for the predators. Either go along and implement the changes, and cut off access to your victims, or don't change, and no longer be able to hide.

[yendu bwam]

The good priests will be eager to implement anything like this that will restore their reputation. Note that this is being implemented voluntarily, from the bottom up, not being forced from the top down. The good priests who haven't been heard from much in this are now being heard from in many subtle ways. Every reform these priests make creates an uncomfortable choice for the predators. Either go along and implement the changes, and cut off access to your victims, or don't change, and no longer be able to hide.

You're right. Good priests will welcome these changes, so that parents can allow them to have appropriate contact with their children. In the absence of (very) secure preventive measures, I will never allow my sons to be alone with a Catholic priest.