The Archdiocese of San Francisco has removed a controversial water sprinkler system installed at its home church.
The water sprinkler system refers to the system in the Cathedral of St. Mary of the Assumption that sprays water from the ceiling 30 feet down into the four side doors of the church. The sprinkler attracted outrage on social media after KCBS ran a report on Wednesday with a video showing the sprinkler system drenching the homeless that take shelter in the cathedral.
According to KCBS, the system sprays water on the church's doors for 75 seconds, every 30 to 60 minutes.
KBCS claimed a cathedral employee had confirmed that church management had installed the sprinkler system as a deterrent against homeless people who seek shelter in the cathedral.
After KBCS ran the report, the water sprinker system attracted criticism from residents and human rights groups.
"It's very shocking, and very inhumane... Certainly not formed on the basis of Catholic teachings," Coalition on Homeless Executive Director Jennifer Friedenbach said of the sprinkler system.
The report also prompted the San Francisco Department of Building Inspection to issue a notice of violation against the Cathedral and gave them a 15-day deadline to have the water sprinkler system removed.
Bishop William Justice, a rector in the Cathedral, issued a statement on Wednesday explaining the purpose of the sprinkler system. In the release, Bishop Justice said that the system serves "as a safety, security and cleanliness measure to avoid the situation where needles, feces and other dangerous items were regularly being left in these hidden doorways."
Bishop Justice, who is also auxiliary bishop of San Francisco, revealed that the system had been used at the church for two years already.
He added that steps had been taken to remove the system.
