Secular news headline was not accurate

In this day and age of information overload, many people simply scan the headlines of a newspaper to find out what is happening. It was very disheartening and even disturbing, therefore, to see the top Page One story in The Home News Tribune on Nov. 17, declare: "Diocese Probes Priests." The story John Tamari wrote about the Diocese of Metuchen requiring criminal history background checks of all its clergy as well as all employees and volunteers who have contact with minors, was accurate, fair and well-written. The story’s headline was not.

At best, the headline on Tamari’s story left the impression that the diocese believes it has priests with criminal records serving in our parishes and programs. At worst, the headline sent the message that the faithful should not trust their priests. How unfortunate and unfair.

The Diocese of Metuchen is blessed with dedicated, trustworthy priests who are too often maligned because of the actions of a few clergy. As Bishop Bootkoski wrote, soon after being installed as Bishop of Metuchen, "while child abuse will not be tolerated, we must not allow the evil deeds of a few to destroy the faith of so many or the good works of the wonderful priests of this Diocesan community."

Led by Bishop Bootkoski, our priests have submitted to background checks not because they are suspected of having a criminal record, but because they are leading the way for their parishioners to comply with the United States Bishops’ Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People. By their cooperation in being fingerprinted and submitting information for a background check, the priests are showing our faithful that no one is being singled out and no one is above going through the process. More importantly, they are taking a critical step in protecting our children by helping to provide a safe environment for them.

The priests of the Diocese of Metuchen are to be thanked for their efforts rather than having their actions misconstrued by a misleading headline.