MB Civic

This really is PC gone mad. What sort of human beings are we going to end up as if all physical, loving contact between adults and children becomes anathema? In Argentina children always kiss adults on the cheek upon greeting and parting and vise versa; it is considered rude to do otherwise. I really find this story horrifying.
Al B

Peck on the cheek costs vicar school job

(Filed: 13/07/2006)

A vicar has stepped down from his role as a school governor after kissing a primary school pupil on the cheek.

A Church inquiry criticised Mr Barrett’s behaviour
The Rev Alan Barrett, the Vicar of Tamworth, Staffordshire, kissed the girl in front of fellow pupils and her teacher to congratulate her earlier this year.

An internal investigation carried out by the Archdeacon of Lichfield deemed Mr Barrett’s behaviour “inappropriate” but decided that disciplinary proceedings were not justified.

The diocesan spokesman said: “The conclusion that Mr Barrett had acted inappropriately is not a finding of guilt or negligence but recognition that in today’s climate, previously acceptable innocent behaviour is now subject to misunderstanding and suspicion.

“As the complaint and subsequent police investigation demonstrates, the simple act of a kiss on the cheek – a common greeting throughout the world – has potentially damaging consequences.”

The spokesman said the diocese took child protection very seriously and had policies in place which all parishes were required to abide by.