Australian Inquiry: Priests Should Face Criminal Charges for Not Reporting Abuse Heard in Confession

The Catholic Herald (UK) ^ | 7/14/17 | Staff Reporter

[marshmallow]

The report called for legislation to criminalise priests who fail to break the seal of the confessional

Priests who do not inform the police after learning about child abuse in confession should face criminal charges, an Australian inquiry has said.

The Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse recommended all states and territories in the country should introduce legislation to punish priests for not breaking the seal of the confessional.

“The right to practice one’s religious beliefs must accommodate civil society’s obligation to provide for the safety of all and, in particular, children’s safety from sexual abuse,” the commission wrote.

“Institutions directed to caring for and providing services for children, including religious institutions, must provide an environment where children are safe from sexual abuse. Reporting information relevant to child sexual abuse to the police is critical to ensuring the safety of children.”

The recommendation will likely be strongly resisted by the Church, which has always guarded the absolute confidentiality of confession.

Under canon law, priests may never break the seal of the confessional, even under threat of death. Any priest who breaks the seal faces automatic excommunication.

Archbishop of Melbourne Denis J Hart said in a statement: “Confession in the Catholic Church is a spiritual encounter with God through the priest. It is a fundamental part of the freedom of religion, and it is recognised in the Law of Australia and many other countries. It must remain so here in Australia.

[Campion]

The Catechism of the Catholic Church admits that private confession first came on the scene in the seventh century

The key word there is "private" confession, which does not imply that there was no confession to a priest / bishop before that time -- there most certainly was.

The difference is that it was typically used only for extremely grave sins, and --if the penitent wanted to come back to the church -- he had to do public penance, often for years, meaning there wasn't much point to keeping the confession private. Tough!

But it's not at all clear that "private confession" only dated from the 7th century. Tertullian gave instructions on choosing a good confessor back in the 3rd century.

Some patristic quotes on confession: here, and here

[Campion]

Not according to Scripture.

Not according to your false, mistaken, erroneous reading of Scripture.

[Campion]

Occam’s razor is about logic and argumentation.

[aMorePerfectUnion]

Not according to your false, mistaken, erroneous reading of Scripture.

Well, then please provide some Scripture that says confession is supposed to be painful. I am unfamiliar with NT passages that teach this strange doctrine. Please share.

Also, please include some verses that say confession must be to a priest.

Also, please include some verses that say "priest" is a valid NT church office.

Thanks in advance Campion.