Off-duty cops hired to patrol exorcism
Thursday, Nov 21, 2013 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Yesterday’s gay marriage “exorcism” was unusual, but this Sun-Times tidbit interested me the most…
In an unusual use of public services, the exorcism included two armed Springfield police officers stationed inside the church vestibule where parishioners entered from the street. At one point during the service, one of the officers strode to the front of the church, though his purpose was unclear. There were no disruptions during the hourlong event. [Emphasis added.]
I checked with the Springfield police department this morning and they got back to me late this afternoon to tell me those were off duty officers who were hired by somebody with the church. As far as the person knew, there were no threats issued in advance.
So, no tax dollars were involved, which is a relief, but it seems a bit odd to me.
* Now, on to Sneed…
Sneed hears Paprocki’s decision to conduct a prayer service Wednesday to “exorcise” the evil of the new same-sex marriage law in Illinois even caused Cardinal Francis George — whose nephew is gay — to flinch.
“I am told the cardinal was embarrassed by Paprocki’s decision to conduct such a service,” said a Sneed source.
Sneed is told Paprocki “didn’t have to get permission from the cardinal to conduct the prayer service,” a second source said. “Paprocki’s boss is the pope. But it’s hard to imagine Pope Francis thinking this was a wise move in the era of understanding he is trying to create.”
* Sun-Times…
After the service, sign-waving demonstrators dodged raindrops as they lined up on the sidewalk outside the sandstone pillars of the church and sang songs in favor of same-sex marriage.
One man, Win Colburn, of Springfield, displayed a handwritten placard to passing motorists. In all-capital letters, it read, “JESUS HAD TWO DADS,” a sentiment that angered some worshipers inside the church and produced insults from drivers.
“I don’t want the haters to have the last word,” Colburn told the Chicago Sun-Times.
I don’t like the term “haters” used in this context, but it was still a rather clever sign.
* SJ-R…
The Rev. Martin Woulfe, a longtime advocate of same-sex marriage, said he joined several church and community members in celebration at the Abraham Lincoln Unitarian Universalist Congregation. The celebration there began with a live streaming of the bill-signing ceremony in Chicago and was followed by a public prayer of thanksgiving on behalf of gay and lesbians who will soon be able to marry, Woulfe said.
Woulfe said although he disagrees with Paprocki’s actions, it is not his job to judge someone for following their own beliefs.
“Today is a reminder to the population that the bishop does not speak for everyone in central Illinois. He speaks for his faith community, but there are other faith communities who will promote their views and no one person has a monopoly on religious truth,” Woulfe said. “I, of course, follow a very different path and have a very different interpretation. He would see it as a loss, but I see it as a victory.”
* Text of the bishop’s homily is here. You can also watch his press conference…
- Dirty Red - Thursday, Nov 21, 13 @ 3:37 pm:
How did Dave know they were police officers? Are police officers using their uniforms and service weapons to moonlight for non-municipal employers?
- Rich Miller - Thursday, Nov 21, 13 @ 3:39 pm:
===Are police officers using their uniforms and service weapons to moonlight for non-municipal employers?===
Yep.
- OneMan - Thursday, Nov 21, 13 @ 3:51 pm:
Dirty Red –
In the town I grew up in the city rented them out directly, made a bit of money off of it if I recall.
- James the Intolerant - Thursday, Nov 21, 13 @ 3:54 pm:
THe officers can moonlight, but I don’t think they can wear their uniforms. At least in Chicago they can’t.
- democrat Grrrl - Thursday, Nov 21, 13 @ 3:57 pm:
When you see a officer in the uniform of a municipal police force, you believe that person is working at the direction of the municipality. I have hired off-duty Chicago cops to work security for events in the past, and they never wore their CPD uniforms. I am surprised this is allowed.
- Demoralized - Thursday, Nov 21, 13 @ 3:58 pm:
The Bishop thinks Catholic Charities was persecuted because their state contract was cancelled. Excuse me Bishop but you don’t have a right to a state contract if you cannot abide by the rules governing that contract. I’ve had it with this persecution nonsense coming from the religious on the issue of gay marriage. You are NOT being persecuted. Something that offends your religious beliefs is NOT persecution. Nobody is forcing you to perform gay marriages in your church. And it’s NOT persecution to not allow you to use those feelings in other aspects of life, like running a business and being able to deny service to gay people.
I listed to this press conference and I’ve come away even more convinced that the Bishop is arrogant and openly hostile to gay people. I would be ashamed to be a Catholic in Springfield if I were under his leadership.
- someonehastosayit - Thursday, Nov 21, 13 @ 4:16 pm:
Does the use of exorcism in this way undermine the theological significance of exorcism? Something was supposed to have changed as a result of it, right? Quinn didn’t change his mind. Does that mean the exorcism didn’t work? Or that it needs to be repeated? Maybe a seminarian can help out with this question.
- OneMan - Thursday, Nov 21, 13 @ 4:18 pm:
democrat Grrrl –
It at least used to be allowed in Dolton rent a cop in full uniform.
- Ggal - Thursday, Nov 21, 13 @ 4:21 pm:
In the suburbs they call these ‘details’ and there is a set fee assessed by the municipality. These details must be approved by the Chief or DC. A uniformed officer has a set fee and if a squad is necessary, the fee is higher. I can’t remember the last time it was called moonlighting.
- Cheswick - Thursday, Nov 21, 13 @ 4:32 pm:
James the Intolerant AND democrat Grrrl
I’ve put on a couple events in the past where I rented an off-duty Sangamon County deputy directly. That is, not through the sheriff’s office. He was his own contractor. He negotiated his own terms and his own price. Each time he showed up in full uniform with gun.
Of course, my events were large parties with the potential for people to get rowdy, not church services.
- A guy... - Thursday, Nov 21, 13 @ 4:35 pm:
It was a responsible decision to have some qualified security for this event. Seems we could leave it at that. And no, I didn’t and wouldn’t attend this.
- Cheswick - Thursday, Nov 21, 13 @ 4:37 pm:
Security? Yes. Intimidation? No.
- wordslinger - Thursday, Nov 21, 13 @ 4:54 pm:
That’s a new one.
- Chavez-respecting Obamist - Thursday, Nov 21, 13 @ 5:28 pm:
I have no problem with hiring off duty police at large events where security made me needed. I’m even fairly certain those were off-duty Chicago cops who escorted me out of Comiskey Park that time in 1985 when I was smoking a joint there and got caught.
I have a serious problem with uniformed police being hired by a private concern to work their events. That’s way out of line and I’m surprised there are towns in Illinois which allow it.
- Chavez-respecting Obamist - Thursday, Nov 21, 13 @ 5:29 pm:
security made me needed
That should be ’security may be needed.’
- orzo - Thursday, Nov 21, 13 @ 5:48 pm:
Bishop Paprocki’s gold jewelry says it all.
- Pacman - Thursday, Nov 21, 13 @ 6:34 pm:
SPD Officers can use their department issued equipment to work off-duty jobs including their take home squad cars.
- Tango - Thursday, Nov 21, 13 @ 8:09 pm:
Maybe they wore the T-shirts like the moonlighting cops who work at Wal-Mart that read OFF DUTY OFFICER?
- Capitol View - Thursday, Nov 21, 13 @ 9:08 pm:
now I understand why there as so many unchurched or former Catholics. This kind of church action is absurd.
- RonOglesby - Thursday, Nov 21, 13 @ 9:25 pm:
Its very normal to see an off-duty in uniform and that is almost always ran through the department.
I have seen churches and even private (large) business gatherings pay off-duty cops to work traffic and pull extra security. In uniform its cleared through the Department.
I dont see the issue. Someone gets extra security for an event (whatever the event is) or traffic control (again whatever it is) and pays for it… leaving normal patrols on the street, and keeping costs down for the town/city that had nothing to do with the event but would have probably had to police it anyway. Win-Win as they say.
Getting panties in a bunch about it is more about the topic of the event vs the cops being there.
- Anonymous - Thursday, Nov 21, 13 @ 11:07 pm:
I say again, the bishop gives the appearance of one wanting to grab headlines and boost his ego/profile. He is diminishing himself with each grab…the issues are opportunities for him to expand his ego reach. Toss the bling pick up some humility.
And by the way, I am not for SSM, but it’s not worth the battle
- anon - Friday, Nov 22, 13 @ 1:33 am:
Demoralized:
Explain to us the relationship between the SSM donors and the abortion lobby. It is interesting to see that the SSM and Personal PAC have numerous donors in common. If you are all about tolerance why does the SSM and pro-choice community have to go out of the way to slam orthodox Catholicism constantly? Interesting that orthodox Judaism, which shares many of the same beliefs, never gets slammed.
- Elo Kiddies - Friday, Nov 22, 13 @ 6:23 am:
I like the idea that the Holy Goalie conducted an exorcism and then held a press conference to discuss how it went. There’s gotta be sketch comedy in there somewhere.
- Quizzical - Friday, Nov 22, 13 @ 9:01 am:
Anybody who has seen the movie knows that exorcisms can get pretty rough. I don’t know what two cops would have done when the gay couples started with the fire hose vomiting or the heads of the legislative sponsors started spinning, or worse the bill and the whole capitol started levitating. At least they could have done some crowd control if a panic erupted.
- Ghost - Friday, Nov 22, 13 @ 9:20 am:
I opposed the event.
On the side issue, the first round of deterence for the police is there uniform/authority. Seeing a uniformed officer is the lowest level, and often most effective dterent to problems.
I am ok with off duty cops serving as security and wearing their uniform. If it helps to deter problems then good for us.
- Raymond - Friday, Nov 22, 13 @ 9:25 am:
=== the bishop gives the appearance of one wanting to grab headlines and boost his ego/profile ===
And/or he’s focused on fundraising. I’m guessing his circus act is popular among a core base of donors. This being Illinois, what else could he possibly be up to?
- Demoralized - Friday, Nov 22, 13 @ 9:26 am:
==If you are all about tolerance why does the SSM and pro-choice community have to go out of the way to slam orthodox Catholicism constantly?==
First of all this has nothing to do with abortion so I don’t know why you even bring that up. Trying to link abortion and gay are we? That’s just ridiculous.
Second, I’m slamming the Bishop, not Catholicism. I tend to be intolerant of people like the Bishop who is showing extreme intolerance towards gay people. If you want to support such nonsense that is your right. I happen to find his behavior disgusting.
- Demoralized - Friday, Nov 22, 13 @ 9:28 am:
==Interesting that orthodox Judaism, which shares many of the same beliefs, never gets slammed.==
By the way, if a Rabbi was saying and doing some of the same things the Bishop is doing I would slam them too.
The actions of anybody behaving as the Bishop are just wrong. Period.
- CircularFiringSquad - Friday, Nov 22, 13 @ 9:35 am:
Doesn’t the SPI Bishop of Bling have some soft gig in Chicago that lets him slide around with the Black Hawks — except during the Circus Tour.
Will Cardinal George crimp that gig?
BTW-1 Where has the bishop from Peoria been?
Jencky has been silent.
Perhaps the media can ring him up for a rant
BTW-2 Capt Fax the use of the word “hater” is right on target with the creeps involved here.
Wonder how much the hire backs cost? Seen any canceled checks? We would fola up til you get those.
- Toure's Latte - Friday, Nov 22, 13 @ 9:57 am:
Are the SSM supporters turning into gay zombies that congregate at any rally for traditional marriage? SSM is the law in IL now but you wouldn’t know it from either side. Seems to be past wrong or right and now about fighting just because. Time to move on.
- Garyklass - Friday, Nov 22, 13 @ 10:06 am:
If only the exorcism had worked. I would have loved to see Pat Quinn shouting obscenities and throwing up,
- wordslinger - Friday, Nov 22, 13 @ 11:36 am:
Ron, you’ve really seen a lot of armed policeman serving as security at church services? Not traffic control, security? In the aisles?
- Win Colburn - Wednesday, Nov 27, 13 @ 1:51 pm:
Yeah, and the cop spent most of the time talking with us. One of the guys lived next to the cop