Australia church abuse: Priests 'must report' confessions

[Eugene]

Source: BBC

Australia church abuse: Priests 'must report' confessions

14 August 2017 Australia

Catholic clerics should face criminal charges if they do not report sexual abuse disclosed to them during confession, an Australian inquiry has recommended.

It is among 85 new proposals following a four-year landmark inquiry into institutional abuse in the nation.

The inquiry had heard harrowing tales of abuse, which were never passed onto the relevant authorities.

The recommendations will now be put to legislators.

-snip-

Read more: http://www.bbc.com/news/world-australia-40920714

[Angry Dragon]

1. I do not have a problem with that

[hrmjustin]

2. Agreed! Protecting children is more important!

[MineralMan]

3. Good. There is no reason that Catholic priests should be able

to avoid mandate reporter status or reporting responsibility. Period.

Mandated reporters should include religious leaders. Too many cases of abuse by clergy and by parishioners go unreported that should be reported, and the abuse continues.

No excuses. If you know about such abuse, you must report it. I believe that should apply to everyone, frankly.

[edhopper]

4. What is the rule

for Doctors and Psychologists?

I think the same should apply to Priests.

Lawyers are a different category.