Local - KPIX/KCBS Recent Sex Scandals Lead To Revamp Of Confessionals Mon Aug 12, 3:24 PM ET John Lobertini The Catholic Church Diocese of San Jose is implementing a new, one-of-a-kind plan to help parishioners feel safe, but not everyone likes the idea designed to prevent sexual misconduct. � Another Priest-Abuse Lawsuit Filed in San Jose � More Sex Crime Allegations for North Bay Diocese � Sex Allegations Against South Bay Jesuits This stunning decision goes beyond even the zero tolerance adopted by the U.S. Conference of Bishops earlier this summer. There is no evidence to suggest that sexual misconduct occurred inside confessionals either here or nationwide, but given the dramatic drop in public trust, the bishop of the San Jose Diocese said he had no choice. The Diocese of San Jose has ordered all of its 52 parishes to install glass windows in confessionals. "I think it's a great idea because to many things are happening," said a life long Catholic attending Sunday mass in the South Bay. "No, no windows. It's a time when you share the most personal parts of you life which you don't wish to share with anybody else," Manuel Salazar, a South Bay Catholic said. It's a radical attempt to restore faith in the Catholic Church following a nationwide sex abuse scandal. "I want to make sure people feel safe, that everything's aboveboard, and that confession is visible, not audible," Bishop Patrick J. McGrath, of the Roman Catholic Diocese of San Jose said. Monsignor John Sweeney isn't comfortable with the move, but he understands it's an act of prudence. "We have to follow our leader. We have to follow the one who has the authority in this matter. It is not to make things complex but rather to clarify," Monsignor Sweeney said. Confessionals have changed in many Catholic churches over the years. Instead of small dark booths were priests and parishioners sit on opposite sides of a small window, there are open rooms and face-to-face meetings. "If you trust the priest you should have that privacy and if you don't trust the priest you obviously shouldn't be there," Rummel Adriano, a South Bay Catholic said. "Because of a few bad priests everyone else has to pay. I don't agree with that. It's a private thing between you and the priest and nobody else," Joe Brasil, a South Bay Catholic said. Although this is the first of its kind plan in the United States, in Europe windows, even glass walls already exist. The sex scandals demand that churchgoers feel safe, but these windows will also protect priests against false accusations. For more Bay Area news and information, visit kpix.com or www.kcbs.com. ALSO Lawyer client priv under assault.END of DAYS! http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/134512246_jail13m.html The career of a veteran public defender could be in jeopardy after King County Jail guards reported they'd discovered the attorney in a jail interview room having sex with her client � a man facing trial in a triple slaying, according to sources. Officials connected with the case declined to discuss or acknowledge it publicly. Steve Thompson, director of the King County Jail, would say only that "we have a situation that's an internal investigation at this point." According to several criminal-justice sources, attorney Theresa Olson, a 15-year veteran of The Defender Association, the county's largest public-defense agency, was seen having intercourse with Sebastian Burns in a conference room in the jail Saturday morning. More...along with other developments its a worry.
