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Alex337
Guest
Pretty much
I’m not sure why the seal should hold if the penitent is speaking about a plan to commit a future sinful act. That doesn’t seem to be in line with the idea of confession.
New Australian Law Requires Priests to Break Seal of Confession to Report Admissions of Child Abuse
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I’m not sure why the seal should hold if the penitent is speaking about a plan to commit a future sinful act. That doesn’t seem to be in line with the idea of confession.
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hmikell7
Guest
What I don’t understand is why you’re Catholic if you’re just going to go around defying Church teaching on things, as you please.
Isn’t that one of the like fundamental things about Catholicism? That you not declare yourself to know better than the Church?
Isn’t that one of the like fundamental things about Catholicism? That you not declare yourself to know better than the Church?
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Alex337
Guest
I think questioning things is rather important. And in this case it doesn’t seem right to allow people to be harmed in such a way.
If it helps I am considering my religion currently
I think I’ve almost decided.
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JoyToTheWhirled
Guest
Yes, I think questions are utterly vital to understand anything, religion especially. While I would hope that you will remain Catholic, because, you know, truth and eternal life and stuff, I respect the choice of people who no longer believe the things the Church teaches and leave. I wish they didn’t, but I understand. I understand it a whole lot better than people who seem to think the Church is a democracy and they can put their own opinions above the Magisterium.
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Alex337
Guest
Precisely. I don’t want to leap into anything though, I’ve been Catholic a long while and I want to give every effort to ensuring I test my thoughts on the matter. Friendly discourse on this board with those well versed in the faith helps in this.
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Reuben_J
Guest
This is not the scope of the Sacrament of Confession. That has to be made clear. The Sacrament is for the forgiveness of sin, not another arm of the secular police force. That’s why such law to force a priest to break the seal of Confession is interfering with religious belief and doctrines, which it has no business to do so. Freedom of religion is assured in the constitution.Annie:
Pretty much
I’m not sure why the seal should hold if the penitent is speaking about a plan to commit a future sinful act. That doesn’t seem to be in line with the idea of confession.
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ascetic
Guest
That’s the first thing I thought when I read the thread title before even reading the article. Opponents to faith are nothing if not predictable no matter what continent they live on. During the Cold War, the Stasi even planted bugs in confessionals, and I doubt they were the only ones. After reading:
I’m reminded that hostility to faith is not a tool exclusive to Marxism.
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ascetic
Guest
My post above was replying to you. Came back to give you props for saying it first. Great minds… 
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Alex337
Guest
I don’t think a person admitting that they plan future crimes is within the scope of confession to be honest. I think they step outside of it.
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YourNameHere
Guest
I would think that a priest would refuse to absolve any person who abused a child. Or make the absolution conditional on that person turning himself or herself into the police.
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JoyToTheWhirled
Guest
That I respect even more. Knowing what is at stake, it’s utterly vital to really dig into your difficulties, quite objectively. I wish you well, and will pray for inspiration for you.
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YourNameHere
Guest
We all are part of the Church. The Church has had a profound effect on us. And we have a right and duty to try to shape and protect the Church that has done so much for us. We can agree to disagree without being disagreeable. We can do more by sticking with our religion and understanding that the people who run the Church are human beings. Human beings are not infallible. Only God is infallible.
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Prodigal_Son
Guest
Alex, do you think that a murderer would ever confess if they knew they would be reported?
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Roseeurekacross
Guest
It’s up to the Bishops Council, with guidance from the Magisterium , to respond appropriately.
Pope Francis is keeping this issue on his radar. And has said earlier, that dialogue with all vested interests is the appropriate course of action.
Pope Francis is keeping this issue on his radar. And has said earlier, that dialogue with all vested interests is the appropriate course of action.
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Alex337
Guest
Hi PS. You seem to have missed the part where I said I think a priest should have the same rules as a psychiatrist where if they believe the penitent will harm themself or others in the future they should report it
But I do also think a murderer who was truly repentant would confess even knowing they would be reported.
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Roseeurekacross
Guest
We cannot preempt the outcome of this. Either way, at the moment. Who thought an Archbishop would serve 2 years for NOT reporting child abuse in a historic case. There’s the tip of the iceberg melting .
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bassmansteiny
Guest
Ok so what about men and women who are married or in relationships who are not celibate and sexually abuse children. The percentage of Cleargy are among, and yes one is to many, far less than any other profession that has abused children. There was a study some, I forgot the name of the University in California, but children have a better chance of being sexually abused in the California school system than they do by any Cleargy in the Catholic Church or any other Christian faith community. I will see if I can find it when I get home from work tonight. This study also mentioned FBI statistical data.
The majority of the time you see or hear about Preist sexually abusing someone it is normally by the misinformed or worse yet, anti Catholic bigots.
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Roseeurekacross
Guest
And that is why Pope Francis already has people examining the Canon Law . That started as soon as the Royal Commission findings and recommendations were handed down.
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Prodigal_Son
Guest
Hi Alex, you seem to assume that I think that all mandatory reporting laws with psychologists are justified. I don’t. I think they are a mixed bag. In particular, the mandatory reporting rules are massively subjective, since “believing” someone is a danger to oneself or others is subjective. I’ve seen lives torn apart because of overzealous professionals.Hi PS. You seem to have missed the part where I said I think a priest should have the same rules as a psychiatrist where if they believe the penitent will harm themself or others in the future they should report it
But I do also think a murderer who was truly repentant would confess even knowing they would be reported.
Secondly, confession is not only about absolution. A person who goes to the confessional and is not absolved has nevertheless received grace, and is much better off for his or her encounter with God there. Confession is not a human institution; it is us and God.
God can always “out” a criminal. He doesn’t need to trick people into outing themselves at the risk of their eternal souls – he has a thousand other ways to make it happen (including persuasion). Those who go to confession are seeking an encounter with God, and God is not terrified or powerless in the face of their sin.
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Roseeurekacross
Guest
It’s already established that if a child discusses being sexually abused in confession. Mandatory reporting in that situation, is NOT breaking the seal of confession.
A child is NOT confessing he or she is being sexually abused. Even if that child believes that is a confession.
A child is NOT confessing he or she is being sexually abused. Even if that child believes that is a confession.
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