Australia: Breaking the Seal of Confession Could Pit Church Against Satte

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asd72 said:
I am in Australia and go to the Cathedral for confession. There is enclosed confessionals there.
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Yes, that how it generally is. The priest cannot touch the penitent - they are in separate rooms with a windows between them. I’ve never seen the arrangement Rose is describing.
 
pepipop said:
Good point - the under cop falsely confessing to child abuse - as that will be their ONLY way of obtaining ‘evidence’.
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Such an undercover operation might fail - it sounds like entrapment. I may be wrong. The more likely scenario is that at some point down the track, an abused person goes to the police, and in the course of the investigation, mentions they told Father so and so about their abuse/abuser in confession. Thus, the priest finds himself in trouble, though the evidence may not be compelling.
If it becomes law, NO actual child sex abuser will confess this sin in confession
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Certainly that’s true if Priests demonstrated an inclination to obey the law.
Child abusers, in the past, that were repentant and confessed have no doubt stopped abusing, got help and/or turned themselves over to the police
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I think that is a brave assumption.

The discussion does make me wonder the extent to which a priest hearing a confession involving child sexual abuse exhorts the penitent to hand themselves over the police.
 
Roseeurekacross said:
You are not in my Diocese , with respect.
I am in a Risdale Diocese…enough said
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I don’t think people realised you were just describing the confessional arrangements in your parish/diocese. For the benefit of others, Ridsdale was a notorious (Australian) pedophile priest jailed in 1994. If memory serves me, his is a case where the Bishop moved him around rather than hand him over to the police.
 
Roseeurekacross said:
I have no idea what happens in Louisiana.

I pray Louisiana has resolved their case.
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The Louisiana case the poster is talking about involved a woman who admitted to a priest in the confessional that a member of the parish, I believe, had abused her. Years later she sued the priest for not going to the police with the info. The priest refused to speak on the matter to police in regards to the suit. The court ruled that the priest Could not be compelled to testify on what was said in the confessional, though the woman was free to do so.
 
Rau said:
Some. Not the case generally.
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It’s the case here, which is what I am discussing, in my Diocese, by order my Bishop.

People would realise what I am discussing by now, I am sure.

Risdale is in court again on fresh charges. Your portrayal of Bishops involved is not entirely correct.

But if Australia makes this law, it will be an international issue. Holy Father Pope Francis will have to give direction to Priests, and/or alter Canon Law.

If the law is changed, civil law, a Priest will go to jail if he does not report what’s said to him in the confessional. It’s as simple as an undercover cop conducting a confessional sting, or a disgruntled laity.
 
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