As I write this, there's a kid playing with Johnny in the other room. I've never met his parents and I'm not exactly sure they know where he is. His name is Kian and we met he and his cousin, Josh, playing soccer out on the street. They're here every weekend playing soccer out in the street. The nice, nosy neighbor was keeping an eye on them last weekend, clearly uncomfortable with the boys playing soccer and hitting cars and windows etc. So today Sheila and I proposed that we go play in the park (on the way to school).
It was a blast. Kids love it when adults engage in the games they play.
Also, I was able to jump in and help out with hurling without undergoing a thorough search of my personal and financial records as well as training to make sure I don't interact in some creepy way. I get how we've gotten there in the US and I'm surprised that Ireland (with all the issues with priests) has not. But sometimes it feels like we use huge sledge hammers to deal with pins of problems. I don't have a better idea at the moment, but I am definitely not convinced that VIRTUS training in Catholic schools in the US will prevent pedophilia. I guess if it gets people talking about the topic, admitting it exists and learning something, well that does something.
The worst case of this in the US that happened to me recently was with Storm Hockey. Our neighbor (hi Cath!) was taking Johnny to hockey. He's a first-year mite. Her son is in his last year, a bantam though the same organization. Since Cath was taking Johnny, I suggested that CJ go to... Maybe get out on the ice, grab a little more ice time, and inspire Johnny. Anyway, they would not let him on the ice because he hadn't gone through training. He is an older kid in the same organization.
That just seems ridiculous to me.
Anyway, I will try to figure out the policies the Irish have used to stop the pedophilia issue, but it is definitely not by using a sledgehammer on a pin.
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