Posted on 09/14/2019 5:36:29 PM PDT by marshmallow
Archbishop Porteous said that priests cannot violate the seal of confession under any circumstances
The leader of Tasmania’s Catholic Church said priests in his archdiocese will not comply with a law that would require them to break the seal of confession to report suspected child abuse.
The law, passed earlier this week, makes religious ministers mandatory reporters of child sexual abuse, and requires Tasmanians with knowledge of abuse to report the crime to police, or face prison time.
Porteous said that priests are “unable” to violate the seal of confession under any circumstances, according to Australia’s ABC News.
“I believe the Tasmanian bill will not strengthen protections for children and vulnerable people, but it will have the opposite effect — as offenders will be less likely to come forward to confess serious sins for fear of being reported,” the archbishop added.
“This will deny priests the opportunity to encourage offenders to report themselves to police.”
In July, while the legislation was still under consideration, Porteous wrote that “the pope made it clear there can be no exceptions to the inviolability of the seal of confession.”
“Priests and all who work for the Church understand their obligations before the law to report on matters of child sexual abuse. Priests, however, cannot comply with law that would require them to violate their commitment to the Church’s consistent teaching on the inviolability of the sacramental seal. As Archbishop it is my duty to uphold Catholic teaching on this matter.”
“Governments can give all sorts of justifications for wanting to know what has been confessed to a priest, from the most noble (the protection of innocent human life) to the most base (the maintenance of political power),” the archbishop added.
“But the reality is that saints, like St Mateo Correa Magallanes and St John......
(Excerpt) Read more at catholicherald.co.uk ...
Boy I was either lucky or ugly or the percentage that do abuse children is not as large as the media makes one believe.
Because when I was 14 and my pop died, I knew a bunch of priests that were good guys and helped me out as much as they could and no one ever touched me.
To be fair, Father ####### went on to leave the priesthood and get married but that’s not molesting.
And to be honest, my pop told me when I was about 9 or 10 that if a Priest ever touched me I should let him know. I didn’t even know what he meant.
Now I do. Pop was born in 1920 so I guess the issue has been around a while.
the bad guys should be executed for what they do to kids.
The good guy Priests should be lauded for living a life that I want no part of. Just the no woman thing is enough for me to run.
I’d like to know if any supposed violation of mandatory reporting by a priest in a confession setting has ever been prosecuted anywhere. There was a civil case in Louisiana if I recall, but it was thrown out I guess. I’ve never seen anyone describe how it would possibly be enforced. I think I can imagine several ways in how it could be, but no one who has ever supported these things have come out and described it.
Freegards
“priests cannot violate the seal of confession ”
.....
1. Not biblical
2. Roman Catholicism is reaping the fruit from choosing to protect gay abusers.
In John’s Gospel (20:23), the disciples receive the Holy Spirit. Then, they are told: “Whose sins you shall forgive, they are forgiven; whose sins you shall retain, are retained.”
A church which considers itself apostolic would see this as a requirement of Priests.
“Not biblical?
....
No, there is no “seal of the confession” in Scripture.
This is a tool to be used by enemies to falsely accuse priests of hearing a confession and not reporting it. The priest can say nothing about any confession and is, therefore, defenseless. That is why the law was passed.
As far as I can tell there is no way for the priest to defend against it, he can’t even confirm if a certain confession took place much less what was said in it.
I guess we could try to figure out how and if these laws are prosecuted for others. Perhaps one could confiscate notes and appointment dates if a therapist is accused. I mean is it just hearsay evidence or what?
Freegards
Because every encounter with Jesus is supposed to be an encounter with Caesar as well?
“Because every encounter with Jesus is supposed to be an encounter with Caesar as well?”
.......
No, because those who approved and covered up criminal acts against children, and instead protected the abusers, have lost any credibility of protecting the innocent.
Personally I have NEVER understood the whole confession thing....especially to another human. Talk with God as his son and our saviour opened up the pathway with his conquering of death on the cross. But to be honest I have never understood the throngs who continue to fill the pews at Catholic churches when it has been common knowledge for decades the corruption at the Vatican,why donate to such a clear abomination ?
True but in a sane world this direction should be coming from the church not the state. The church has failed in this regard.
Exactly the point I made. They have forced the state to step in now - and they're complaining the whole way, as if they are the victims.
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