Posted on 04/18/2013 7:20:30 AM PDT by Weiss White
Q: I know that priests aren’t allowed to reveal what people tell them in confession. But what happens in places where reporting sexual abuse of children is mandated by law? They’re talking about making it a legal requirement now in Australia, just like they did in Ireland. Will priests really have to go to jail, rather than reveal the identity of a penitent to the police? –Lauren
A: Readers from “down under” are no doubt keenly aware that last fall, Australia’s Prime Minister Julia Gillard announced the formation of a federal Royal Commission to investigate child sexual abuse. One stated purpose of the commission was to examine the role of religious institutions in covering up abuse of children by the clergy.
(Excerpt) Read more at canonlawmadeeasy.com ...
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.
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.
(or my favorite non-denial denial: "I dont think there is any evidence of that")
As Caridi said, the priest can make absolution contingent upon the offender turning himself in to the authorities. And no, no “anonymous tips.” That is exactly what is known as “breaking the seal.”
Of course, the attorney/client privilege is sort of the same....except that person is out in the open and there's two sides to his story.
Sorry...The seal of confession is good for no one.
Part of the Christian ethic for getting forgiveness from God has always involved taking responsibility and making amends for the wrong done.
What was the outcome in Ireland?
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
Anyone recall having to identify yourself before going in to a Confessional?
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?
Well....They paid off the victims on the condition of silence and the priests stayed. So much for ethics. You just can’t make excuses. They should have been turned over to the authorities.
James 5:16 Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed.
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.”
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.”
Sac, think how this would play out in real life.
If the perp is not repentant, he would never mention it is a confession.
If the perp IS repentant, he would go to confession and the confessor would say, "I will not absolve you unless you turn yourself in to the authorities."
If he does, well and good.
If he doesn't, what is the priest supposed to do? It's likely he wouldn't even know who was confessing to him. Most confessions aren't face to face.
So the priest is supposed to ring up the cops and say what? "Somebody --- I don't know who--- said he sexually molested children, but I don't know exactly what he did, or to whom, or where, or how long ago."
And that benefits whom?
If you are a regular the Preist will know who you are but I suppose they may not have to admit it to anyone else!
Mel
Someone has evidently misinformed you. Catholics go "straight to the source" too. Every day. Who told you we can't? (Seriously. I am interested in knowing who has misled you with this elementary misinformation.)
First they came for the Catholics...
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.