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Australian abuse report calls for end to sanctity of confession

By Byron Kaye and Elouise Fowler

 

Commissioner Justice Peter McClellan and the Governor-General of Australia Peter Cosgrove at the signing ceremony and the release of the final report of the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse in Canberra, Australia, December 15, 2017. Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse/Handout via REUTERS

 

SYDNEY (Reuters) - Australia should introduce a law forcing religious leaders to report child abuse, including Catholic priests told of abuse in the confessional, said a report on Friday which detailed institutional abuse, particularly in the Catholic Church.

 

One the country's top catholics, Melbourne Archbishop Denis Hart, said such a law would undermine a central tenet of Catholicism, the sacredness of the confessional, and warned that any priest breaking the seal of confession would be excommunicated.

 

The 17-volume document from the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Abuse marks the end of one of the world's biggest inquiries into child abuse and leaves it to the government to decide whether to enact its recommendations.

 

The five-year investigation found "multiple and persistent failings of institutions to keep children safe, the cultures of secrecy and cover-up, and the devastating affects child sexual abuse can have on an individual's life", the commission said in a statement.

 

The report detailed tens of thousands of child victims, saying their abusers were "not a case of a few rotten apples".

 

"We will never know the true number," it read.

 

The inquiry spanned religious, government, educational and professional organisations but heard many accounts alleging abuse cover-ups in the Australian Catholic Church, including allegations of moving priests suspected of abuse between parishes to avoid detection.

 

Of survivors who reported abuse in religious institutions, more than 60 percent cited the Catholic Church, which demonstrated "catastrophic failures of leadership", particularly before the 1990s, the report said.

 

It said clergy told of child abuse in the confessional should be required by law to report it and called for the Catholic Church to make celibacy voluntary for clergy, adding that it contributed to child abuse.

 

"I would feel terribly conflicted, and I would try even harder to get that person outside confessional, but I cannot break the seal," Hart told reporters.

 

"The penalty for any priest breaking the seal is excommunication, being cast out of the church, so it's a real, serious, spiritual matter, and I want to observe the law of the land ... but as part of my identity as a priest, I have to observe the seal of the confession."

 

A similar recommendation was made during Ireland's 2009 child abuse inquiry, leading to a mandatory reporting law in 2015. Some U.S. states have similar requirements.

 

The Australian report also called for a National Office for Child Safety and national child safety standards, child abuse reporting and record keeping, which would cover all institutions engaged in child-related work.

 

Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said the inquiry had "exposed a national tragedy" and that the government would consider the recommendations and respond in full next year.

 

Sydney Archbishop Anthony Fisher, said in a statement that he was "appalled by the sinful and criminal activity of some clergy, religious and lay church-workers (and) ashamed of the failure to respond by some church leaders".

 

The inquiry heard previously that the Australian Catholic Church paid A$276 million ($212 million) in compensation to thousands of child abuse victims since 1980.

 

($1 = 1.3040 Australian dollars)

 

(Reporting by Byron Kaye and Elouise Fowler; Editing by Michael Perry)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2017-12-15

[boomerangutang]

Hmmm, interesting dilemma.  Perhaps a compromise:  The priest hearing the confession can tell the person (who is confessing to a crime) it's very bad and illegal, and giving a warning:  'If you do anything like that, one more time, I will report you to the police.'

 

There's a scene in the Godfather II (or III) where the mafia Don goes to the Vatican and confesses to a high priest (a Cardinal?  the Pope?) about killing many people.  The priest says something like, "yes, I know about you. You've been bad."  ....and leaves it at that.

[simple1]

2 minutes ago, boomerangutang said:

Hmmm, interesting dilemma.  Perhaps a compromise:  The priest hearing the confession can tell the person (who is confessing to a crime) it's very bad and illegal, and giving a warning:  'If you do anything like that, one more time, I will report you to the police.'

<snip>

Just in Australia  church group members abused untold thousands of children over the years with, to date, very few criminal convictions due to the institutionalised policy of protection for abusers. Plus ignoring secular Rule of Law. Accordingly, never, no compromise, including police who should be in prison for failure of duty.

[thaibeachlovers]

I know of no way that an abused child can confidently and safely report such and have it taken seriously. There isn't even one for kids being bullied in school or adults being abused at work. Such a method would be far preferable to legally violating a central tenant of a major religion.

If they actually have grounds to do so then other religious things that put us all at risk like burqas should also be banned.

[simple1]

1 hour ago, thaibeachlovers said:

I know of no way that an abused child can confidently and safely report such and have it taken seriously. There isn't even one for kids being bullied in school or adults being abused at work. Such a method would be far preferable to legally violating a central tenant of a major religion.

If they actually have grounds to do so then other religious things that put us all at risk like burqas should also be banned.

Your first sentence is one of the reasons for the Royal Commission in the first place. Legislation requirements have been identified to enact for putting in place protocols and policies in-place, enforced by criminal penalties, including for institutions.

 

The Catholic Church is already saying it will resist legislation to cease protection for those receiving confessions, even though the Church was and probably still is one of the institutions deliberately ignoring the Rule of Law regards child sexual abuse. All religious institutions should be subject to secular Rule of Law, without exception. The Royal Commission identified more than 4,000 religious and civil institutional locations where child sexual abuse took place, which no doubt means tens of thousands of children were abused. 

 

BTW the topic is regards to Royal Commission concerning institutional responses to child sexual abuse, not the threat of Islamist terrorism.

[stevenl]

So what was the result of this law in Ireland? Any abuse reported and priests excommunicated? My guess would be nothing has happened, no abuse reported and nobody excommunicated.

[RickBradford]

Quote

Australia should introduce a law forcing religious leaders to report child abuse, including Catholic priests told of abuse in the confessional, said a report on Friday

Does that include Muslim clerics who oversee, or are made aware of, Female Genital Mutilation, or is it only Christians that the law applies to?

[stevenl]

50 minutes ago, RickBradford said:

Does that include Muslim clerics who oversee, or are made aware of, Female Genital Mutilation, or is it only Christians that the law applies to?

You are quoting the text that answers your question: " religious leaders to report child abuse, including Catholic priests ".

 

It is a different situation though, since there is no Islam law forbidding to talk about what happens during 'confessions'.

Edited December 15, 2017 by stevenl

[RickBradford]

20 minutes ago, stevenl said:

You are quoting the text that answers your question: " religious leaders to report child abuse, including Catholic priests ".

 

It is a different situation though, since there is no Islam law forbidding to talk about what happens during 'confessions'.

Unfortunately, there is no Islam law forbidding FGM, either, so to them it doesn't qualify as child abuse. In fact, FGM is 'prescribed' in Islam law, as modern scholars emphasise:
 

Quote

Nowadays we hear that many doctors denounce the circumcision of girls, and say that it harms them physically and psychologically, and that circumcision is an inherited custom that has no basis is Islam .

 

Circumcision is not an inherited custom as some people claim, rather it is prescribed in Islam and the scholars are unanimously agreed that it is prescribed. Not a single Muslim scholar – as far as we know – has said that circumcision is not prescribed.

Their evidence is to be found in the saheeh ahaadeeth of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), which prove that it is prescribed.

 

I don't believe that the Catholic scriptures actively prescribe the sexual abuse of children, so your argument falls even before the first fence.

 

Source: https://islamqa.info/en/60314

[stevenl]

59 minutes ago, RickBradford said:

Unfortunately, there is no Islam law forbidding FGM, either, so to them it doesn't qualify as child abuse. In fact, FGM is 'prescribed' in Islam law, as modern scholars emphasise:
 

I don't believe that the Catholic scriptures actively prescribe the sexual abuse of children, so your argument falls even before the first fence.

 

Source: https://islamqa.info/en/60314

This law would force clergy of all religions to report child abuse according to the law.

 

Your hatred for Islam is prohibiting you from thinking clearly.

[Baerboxer]

7 hours ago, boomerangutang said:

 

 

3 hours ago, simple1 said:

Your first sentence is one of the reasons for the Royal Commission in the first place. Legislation requirements have been identified to enact for putting in place protocols and policies in-place, enforced by criminal penalties, including for institutions.

 

The Catholic Church is already saying it will resist legislation to cease protection for those receiving confessions, even though the Church was and probably still is one of the institutions deliberately ignoring the Rule of Law regards child sexual abuse. All religious institutions should be subject to secular Rule of Law, without exception. The Royal Commission identified more than 4,000 religious and civil institutional locations where child sexual abuse took place, which no doubt means tens of thousands of children were abused. 

 

BTW the topic is regards to Royal Commission concerning institutional responses to child sexual abuse, not the threat of Islamist terrorism.

 

The Catholic Church is a thoroughly corrupt organization. A very rich, long established, still influential in some countries, but nevertheless corrupt organization.

 

Australia is a modern secular society. It has the right to pass laws, enforce laws and prosecute law breakers. If the Catholic Church doesn't want to abide by the law they are free to leave.

 

For years this organization new of these appalling crimes and chose to cover them up to protect itself and it's image. Disgusting. And their head honcho lectures others on morality whilst ignoring the festering sewer pit he commands.

[stevenl]

10 minutes ago, Baerboxer said:

 

 

The Catholic Church is a thoroughly corrupt organization. A very rich, long established, still influential in some countries, but nevertheless corrupt organization.

 

Australia is a modern secular society. It has the right to pass laws, enforce laws and prosecute law breakers. If the Catholic Church doesn't want to abide by the law they are free to leave.

 

For years this organization new of these appalling crimes and chose to cover them up to protect itself and it's image. Disgusting. And their head honcho lectures others on morality whilst ignoring the festering sewer pit he commands.

Agreed to a large extent, but how is the Catholic church corrupt?

[jobsworth]

what an excellent fund rising opportunity this could become.

"give me $100 for the church roof or i will report you for child abuse."

more like world vision.

 

[isaanbanhou]

Why not just ban the Catholic religion.  problem solved

[White Christmas13]

5 minutes ago, isaanbanhou said:

Why not just ban the Catholic religion.  problem solved

And add any other ones including Buddhists

[isaanbanhou]

2 hours ago, stevenl said:

Agreed to a large extent, but how is the Catholic church corrupt?

Catholic Church sex abuse scandals around the world

http://www.bbc.com/news/10407559

 

Hiding behind the cloth:child sexual abuse and the Catholic Church

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18032240

 

The Catholic Church is facing criticism for claiming that victims of sexual abuse "consented" to the act.

https://www.her.ie/news/catholic-church-criticised-claiming-uk-sex-abuse-victims-consented-360818

 

Google corruption in the catholic church, I got 869,000 results.

[Ulic]

Great idea, it's about time.

[simple1]

9 hours ago, RickBradford said:

Does that include Muslim clerics who oversee, or are made aware of, Female Genital Mutilation, or is it only Christians that the law applies to?

Already a criminal act under Australian law no matter the religion. I assume you're aware FGM is also practiced by black African Christians.

[hawker9000]

7 hours ago, isaanbanhou said:

Why not just ban the Catholic religion.  problem solved

 

7 hours ago, White Christmas13 said:

And add any other ones including Buddhists

Truly brilliant, deeply insightful, highly intellectual, blindingly practical, ultimately even-handed, and obviously well thought-out suggestions...     We're fortunate to have such gifted luminaries lurking participating and sharing their ineffable wisdom with us here.   

 

But leaving the asylum for just a moment, what is true is that the Roman Catholic Church, by cloaking & covering up for abuses by its clergy almost as a matter of routine, has done this to, and has no one to thank for it but, itself.   .....or perhaps its uninvolved, dogma-obsessed, blinkered leadership.

 

Edited December 15, 2017 by hawker9000

[isaanbanhou]

3 minutes ago, hawker9000 said:

 

Truly brilliant, deeply insightful, highly intellectual, blindingly practical, ultimately even-handed, and obviously well thought-out suggestions...     We're fortunate to have such gifted luminaries lurking participating and sharing their ineffable wisdom with us here.   

 

But leaving the asylum for just a moment, what is true is that the Roman Catholic Church, by cloaking & covering up for abuses by its clergy almost as a matter of routine, has done this to, and has no one to thank for it but, itself.   .....or perhaps its uninvolved, dogma-obsessed, blinkered leadership.

 

so we agree, the Catholic Church itself is the haven for pedophiles.

 

lurk off

[hawker9000]

Just now, isaanbanhou said:

so we agree, the Catholic Church itself is the haven for pedophiles.

 

lurk off

A haven?  No.  An easy target for the simple-minded?   No doubt about it.

 

lurk on

 

[F4UCorsair]

2 hours ago, simple1 said:

 

Edited December 15, 2017 by F4UCorsair

[isaanbanhou]

8 minutes ago, hawker9000 said:

 

Truly brilliant, deeply insightful, highly intellectual, blindingly practical, ultimately even-handed, and obviously well thought-out suggestions...     We're fortunate to have such gifted luminaries lurking participating and sharing their ineffable wisdom with us here.   

 

But leaving the asylum for just a moment, what is true is that the Roman Catholic Church, by cloaking & covering up for abuses by its clergy almost as a matter of routine, has done this to, and has no one to thank for it but, itself.   .....or perhaps its uninvolved, dogma-obsessed, blinkered leadership.

 

 " by cloaking & covering up for abuses by its clergy almost as a matter of routine, has done this to, and has no one to thank for it but, itself.   .....or perhaps its uninvolved, dogma-obsessed, blinkered leadership."

 

simple minds must think alike.   

 

[hawker9000]

1 minute ago, isaanbanhou said:

 " by cloaking & covering up for abuses by its clergy almost as a matter of routine, has done this to, and has no one to thank for it but, itself.   .....or perhaps its uninvolved, dogma-obsessed, blinkered leadership."

 

simple minds must think alike.   

 

I'd have to defer to you on that.

[isaanbanhou]

16 minutes ago, hawker9000 said:

I'd have to defer to you on that.

You state the Catholic church conceals child abuse routinely.  But you save your "intellectual venom" for those that oppose the pedophilic organisation.  

 

I think there must be more than "simple minds" "lurking" in this forum.  Probably a couple of confused ex alter boys.

My advice to them is it wasn't your fault 

 

sorry. I can't really get into it with you right now, I am pretending to fly my pretend airplane and I am having difficulties pretending to refuel mid air.  One has to be very smart to be able to pretend this.

Edited December 15, 2017 by isaanbanhou

[Ron19]

An off topic post has been removed. 

[simple1]

Before posting comments, it would be a good idea to do some research of the Royal Commission's report.

 

https://www.childabuseroyalcommission.gov.au/final-report

[Dexlowe]

1 hour ago, hawker9000 said:

An easy target for the simple-minded?   No doubt about it.

An easy -- not to mention much-deserved -- target for the intellectually minded as well, I would have thought. Ditto for all the other religions (none of which should ever be treated as anything but businesses and forced to pay taxes).

[stevenl]

8 hours ago, isaanbanhou said:

Catholic Church sex abuse scandals around the world

http://www.bbc.com/news/10407559

 

Hiding behind the cloth:child sexual abuse and the Catholic Church

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18032240

 

The Catholic Church is facing criticism for claiming that victims of sexual abuse "consented" to the act.

https://www.her.ie/news/catholic-church-criticised-claiming-uk-sex-abuse-victims-consented-360818

 

Google corruption in the catholic church, I got 869,000 results.

The claim was it is corrupt.

None of your link contents with that.

[isaanbanhou]

4 minutes ago, stevenl said:

The claim was it is corrupt.

None of your link contents with that.

You are welcome to google search yourself.  869,000 results for Catholic Church Child Abuse... I am sure you will find one that justifies whatever position you prefer.