Laurels & lances: Lessons and lead feet
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Laurel: To learning from mistakes. The Catholic Diocese of Greensburg was not spared by the revelations of Pennsylvania grand jury reports on hidden child sex abuse. It paid out $4.35 million in clergy sex abuse claims.
But the question arising from all these past errors is this: What would happen next time?
Bishop Larry Kulick answered that question with his actions regarding a maintenance worker. Shon M. Harrity, 47, of North Huntingdon was arrested May 8, accused of rape and sexual assault unrelated to the diocese or his job. But, when he was hired in 2012, he did not have to have a background check. He later had background checks done in 2015 and 2020 after policy changes.
The background checks found the problem. Employee records at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish in North Huntingdon show his complete criminal history, including guilty pleas to indecent exposure, open lewdness, disorderly conduct and drug possession. There are clearance documents missing from his file after being transferred to Immaculate Conception Parish in Irwin.
But the diocese did not sweep this under the rug. Kulick requested and received the resignation of the pastor for the two parishes, the Rev. John Moineau. Kulick also has ordered an audit of employee and volunteer records, which will include scrutiny of 10,000 files.
The Harrity situation should not have happened. However, the diocese is doing what the Catholic Church should have been doing all along — ensuring accountability.
Lance: To a bad night out. A nice anniversary date might involve dinner at a fancy restaurant, a romantic movie, a concert or dancing.
It shouldn’t involve tow trucks, ambulances or police cars. Unfortunately, that was what happened with U.S. Sen. John Fetterman, D-Braddock, and wife Gisele.
On Sunday, the couple was involved in a crash on Interstate 70 near Hancock, Md. The senator was driving a Chevrolet Traverse. The SUV struck the back of a Chevrolet Impala driven by a Pennsylvania woman. Updated information Wednesday noted Fetterman was “at fault” and driving at “a high rate of speed, well over the posted speed limit.” The speed limit on the road was 70 mph.
The Fettermans noted the incident on social media, with Gisele Fetterman calling it “the worst anniversary ever.”
Crashes can happen to anyone, and Fetterman has been open about it, but the speed limit is still the law and needs to be followed. He should probably restrain that lead foot — or maybe let Gisele drive.