[bethelgrad]

Here's just an intersting tidbit. When I was a youth pastor back in Michigan and if a teen confided in me that he was being abused by his parents, I would have to, by law, notify the authorities. RCC priests are forbidden to divulge any info under their system of confession. So the system itself contributes to a culture of secrecy.

[NJ_gent]

"RCC priests are forbidden to divulge any info under their system of confession."

That's not correct as I've always understood it. During my years in Catholic schools, I was always taught that if a priest receives what he believes to be reliable information about a crime which is going to take place (child molestation included), then he is obligated to inform the proper authorities. If you confess that you've just robbed a bank, the priest is bound to secrecy. If you confess that you're going to rob a bank, then the priest must tell police.