Australia- About the course of action being taken on the recommendation to remove the seal of confession

[Cruciferi]

I also want to preserve that integrity of the sacrament of confession. I can guarantee that if the seal of confession is eliminated, there will be no more penitents. And if the government attempts to violate the sacrament by entrapment using phony confessions, every priest ought to go to jail rather than cooperate.

Absolutely!

 

[mVitus]

What’s more important to you Jim, protecting children or the perps. No contest in my book.
If a child uses the Sacrament of Reconcilliation to discuss this, that child needs immediate urgent help.
If a perp confesses, he or she needs immediately help.

Along with Jim, breaking the Seal does not seem like the best way to achieve those goals. With the child, there’s a chance for, “Say this to me outside the Seal.” And with a child molester, would they enter the sacrament in the first place if they knew they’d get arrested? There’s more than one way to skin a cat. And breaking the Seal does not seem like a good way of skinning this cat.

 

[Roseeurekacross]

If children were not being believed before when reporting abuse to authorities, that is the fault of the authorities for not investigating.

And the Catholic Church. Catholic authorities who paid any mind to these kids were just moving priests and religious around.

The Catholic Church made its own bed in this respect and is now cleaning its mess up.

 

[Roseeurekacross]

And if a child discusses this in confession, the child should be instructed to tell someone outside of confession. In fact, children should be so advised as a matter of course. Because a priest cannot discuss outside of confession anything that is said in confession or even whether a confession was heard.

Archbishop Hart has already said this type of confession, which is not a confession, can be reported.
And I think, personally, that’s what’s going to happen. As for perps confessing, we shall see

 

[Roseeurekacross]

I suggest that if the government insists on interfering with the seal of confession, a prominent sign should be placed outside the confessional with a warning something like this: “Anything you say to the priest may, in accordance with government regulation, be disclosed to police authorities and may be used against you in a court of law. By entering the confessional you understand and agree with this.”

People will already understand this, it’s a huge current public issue

 

[Roseeurekacross]

I obviously want to protect children. I also want to preserve the rights of the accused, who in the U.S. must be presumed innocent until proven guilty, but that may not be the case in Australia.

Guess what, in Australia, same deal. Innocence is presumed. Trials happen to establish guilt or innocence. Why would you think it’s any different .

Yes children must be protected. We did NOT protect them. That’s why this is up for discussion.

 

[Roseeurekacross]

I also want to preserve that integrity of the sacrament of confession. I can guarantee that if the seal of confession is eliminated, there will be no more penitents. And if the government attempts to violate the sacrament by entrapment using phony confessions, every priest ought to go to jail rather than cooperate.

By the time a perp is ready to confess this, he or she is ready to get help.

I won’t stop going to the Sacrament of Reconcilliation if this law comes in. I wont be stopped cleansing my soul and moving back into God’s forgiving love .

Why would I?

There will still be the same , maybe more. As Catholics remember this Sacrament. It’s pretty thinly used atm

 

[Cruciferi]

Yes children must be protected. We did NOT protect them. That’s why this is up for discussion.

Well, here in the USA, the USCCB created the The Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People It has been very effective and we haven’t needed to bust the Seal of Confession to safeguard the children.

http://www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/child-and-youth-protection/charter.cfm

I won’t stop going to the Sacrament of Reconcilliation if this law comes in. I wont be stopped cleansing my soul and moving back into God’s forgiving love .

You only say this because you’re currently a law abiding citizen. However, the law is not always just nor is the government always right. Therefore, people would avoid a compromised Sacrament if it meant incriminating themselves.

I think crimes like murder and domestic violence and general violence, yes.

Jimmy Akin explains why this cannot happen.

http://jimmyakin.com/2005/11/can_a_priest_fo.html