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trotsky

(49,533 posts)
Mon Apr 3, 2017, 11:53 AM Apr 2017

Catholic Church must reform confession, abuse survivor says

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-australia-39475959

Peter Gogarty said perpetrators knew anything disclosed in confession would not be revealed to authorities.

He told the BBC it was effectively a "get-out-of-jail-free card".

...

"What they are doing is saying we are more prepared to protect an offender than we are to take care of this child," said Mr Gogarty, who was 12 when he was abused by a priest in New South Wales.

...

"I think its incumbent on the priest to say to the person - if you are sincere about this, if you want to absolved - then going to the authorities is part of the exercise," he said.
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Catholic Church must reform confession, abuse survivor says (Original Post) trotsky Apr 2017 OP
Actually, the law should not take it into consideration. MineralMan Apr 2017 #1
but, but, but god chose them for their holiness Angry Dragon Apr 2017 #3
Impossible. Completely impossible. MineralMan Apr 2017 #4
the world is full of gods Angry Dragon Apr 2017 #5
What if the priest said that God told them to report it? Lordquinton Apr 2017 #2

MineralMan

(146,192 posts)
1. Actually, the law should not take it into consideration.
Mon Apr 3, 2017, 02:11 PM
Apr 2017

It's strictly a religious matter. Priests and ministers should be, if they are not, "Mandated Reporters." Just make it a felony not to report such knowledge of child sexual abuse. Throw a few priests in prison for not reporting such confessions and that would be that.

I do not believe, frankly, that anyone should be exempted from reporting such things. Period. Not religious leaders and not medical professionals. Sexual abuse of children is a horrific crime and anyone with knowledge of such a thing happening should be required to report it to the police.

We should not let some religious doctrine get in the way of protecting children. Period.

Lordquinton

(7,886 posts)
2. What if the priest said that God told them to report it?
Mon Apr 3, 2017, 03:47 PM
Apr 2017

They had a vision of a wounded child and God sent a man to him to tell the child's story and God told him to bring it to the authorities to save the poor child.

I mean, if they're basing their laws on spiritual beliefs they can't get him in trouble.

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