[Sacajaweau]

How about an anonymous tip??

Always felt that part of the penance where a crime has been committed is to "turn yourself in".

The seal of confession: In our little Catholic neighborhood, it meant he wouldn't tell mom.

[Mrs. Don-o]

Full marks to Canon Lawyer Cathy Caridi. My goodness, it’s refreshing to see a person with such an excellent command of facts and reason.

[Mr. K]

Just remember the words of one of our greatest politicians, HilLIARy Rodham Clinton: "I don't recall.."

(or my favorite non-denial denial: "I dont think there is any evidence of that")

[E. Pluribus Unum]

Good luck with that.

[stuartcr]

What was the outcome in Ireland?

[melsec]

I will probably get flamed for this response but people come at this from the wrong angle. If a person can confess to a Priest with annonimity there is far more chance he will do so and therefore be in the position at least to be counselled and helped. That help may/should, in child abuse cases be to escort the perp (of their own free will) to Law enforcement or there can be no absolution.

Take the seal away and do you really think these people will then approach a Priest - the sin will remain unconfessed the person will more than likely go on offending and more kids will be hurt.

Mel

[AlaskaErik]

The logical solution would be to do away with confession. It’s not in the bible and no one else has a middleman. Christians just go straight to the source, why can’t Catholics?

[Gay State Conservative]

Government prosecutor....”tell me who has confessed sexual abuse to you”....Priest responds: “first,people don’t identify themselves to me by name.That is by design.Second,I can’t see their faces.That,too,is by design.Third,many people...out of shame or embarrassment...disguise their voices.So even if I *wanted* to help you I couldn’t.”

[Gay State Conservative]

Government prosecutor....”tell me who has confessed sexual abuse to you”....Priest responds: “first,people don’t identify themselves to me by name.That is by design.Second,I can’t see their faces.That,too,is by design.Third,many people...out of shame or embarrassment...disguise their voices.So even if I *wanted* to help you I couldn’t.”

[DouglasKC]

First they came for the Catholics...

[Salvation]

[nickcarraway]

The title is misleading. They won’t force priests to violate the seal of the confessional, they will punish them for not doing so.