Philadelphia's 'chief ethics officer' embraces his Catholic faith

Published: 2006-02-22

PHILADELPHIA (CNS) -- As the head altar boy at St. Carthage Parish in the late 1970s and early 1980s, R. Seth Williams determined which of his peers would serve at funerals and weddings. Because those assignments guaranteed a pass from class, and $5 or $10 in cash, many of his fellow servers wanted to barter with and befriend him. But, Williams said, he realized he had to base his assignments on abilities, not favors or friendships. It was an early lesson in ethics and the perils of political patronage for the young man who would one day become Philadelphia's "chief ethics officer" as the city's inspector general. "I was proud to have been tapped by the mayor to take over this tremendous job," Williams said of his new post. "I'm the chief ethics officer for the city of Philadelphia. It's my responsibility to serve as the watchdog for all (25,000) city employees.

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