Controversy Over Mandatory Reporting Of Confession

[cappie]

Controversy has erupted once again over whether priests and religious leaders are subject to mandatory reporting laws after a "priest" at an evangelic Christian church in Melbourne did not report a child sex abuse confession.

The Herald Sun reports the priest will not be charged over not reporting the assault despite the confessor striking again.

The case has stirred debate over the role of the churches in handling confessions by lawbreakers and raised questions about whether religious leaders should be subject to mandatory reporting obligations.

Teachers, doctors, nurses and other professionals are legally bound to report suspected sex abuse cases.

Social commentator Fr Bob McGuire said in theory a priest offering his own help would be the right course of action.

However, in practice, this was relinquishing responsibility.

"Priests are not qualified to handle such sensitive matters," Fr McGuire said

"It may not be legally mandatory reporting (for priests), but it would be morally mandatory reporting - even if it was my brother.

"It's a civil society's expectation," he said.

Child abuse prevention group Childwise's Bernadette McMenamin said priests should be covered by the same mandatory reporting rules.

"With all good intentions, offenders have been protected by churches," she said.

"I believe everyone should report abuse. It's their moral duty. If it takes mandatory reporting to make sure, that's how it will have to be."

[scardella]

Hrm... have they ever heard of the seal of confession? Hello!?

[goldenchild17]

For the good of the people, apparently even this can be broken...

[Alycin]

This is why separation of church and state is important.

[premed_jakey]

The sacrament of reconcilliation is sacred and beautiful. I cant believe people cant understand that and want to break that trust between confessor and priest

[jeffpugh]

I can.

Seriously though, the thing about this is there are other moral implications than "reporting a criminal to the authorities". Priests are not teachers or nurses per se. They have a different role in society. The church doesn't protect criminals. Absolution shouldn't even be given unless the confessee says he/she would hand him/herself in. Am I correct here?

[Mercy me]

Is nothing sacred?

[MissScripture]

Do they realize that they're not going to be any further ahead, because if criminals know they will be reported, they just won't confess!

[Scofizzle]

[quote name='Sacred Music Man' post='1470339' date='Feb 27 2008, 09:48 PM']I can.

Seriously though, the thing about this is there are other moral implications than "reporting a criminal to the authorities". Priests are not teachers or nurses per se. They have a different role in society. The church doesn't protect criminals. Absolution shouldn't even be given unless the confessee says he/she would hand him/herself in. Am I correct here?[/quote]

A priest can deny absolution if he believes the confesor is not truly repentent, but a preist cannot asign a penance that will publicly reveal the sinners sin.

[CatherineM]

There are times that I am supremely grateful that the priesthood was not open to me. I really don't know how I would handle the situation if I had to be a confessor.

[Kitty]

This whole seal of confession thing does not really make sense to me. So, say this child rapist came into confession and confessed his sins. He said that he raped a young girl. He says the Act of Contrition and is forgiven. And the priest should not tell anyone about this?? This does not seem like something God would approve of.

[Scofizzle]

[quote name='Kitty' post='1470500' date='Feb 28 2008, 01:52 AM']This whole seal of confession thing does not really make sense to me. So, say this child rapist came into confession and confessed his sins. He said that he raped a young girl. He says the Act of Contrition and is forgiven. And the priest should not tell anyone about this?? This does not seem like something God would approve of.[/quote]

God is about forgivenes. The preist might not give absolution. They may suggest that turning yourself in would show true remorse, but he cannot make this his pennance as it would publicly identify his sin. This is truely God's work. He forgives all and loves all. Even the pedophiles.

[T-Bone _]

[quote name='MissScripture' post='1470394' date='Feb 27 2008, 08:39 PM']Do they realize that they're not going to be any further ahead, because if criminals know they will be reported, they just won't confess![/quote]

It's not just that. Think of a teenager who is being abused. He doesn't want to get his abuser into any sort of trouble. He knows that if he confesses, the priest will have to report it. So he doesn't confess. This puts his soul in danger.

[Alycin]

bump

[cathoholic_anonymous]

[quote name='T-Bone _' post='1470509' date='Feb 28 2008, 08:22 AM']It's not just that. Think of a teenager who is being abused. He doesn't want to get his abuser into any sort of trouble. He knows that if he confesses, the priest will have to report it. So he doesn't confess. This puts his soul in danger.[/quote]

You are right. I have a good friend who was sexually abused by a much older man when she was a child and young teenager. When she got to know me better and came to Mass with me a few times, she said that she would love to be a Catholic just for the sake of being able to say anything you needed to say to another human being and be able to trust them totally for once.