Australia Archbishop Rejects Sex-Abuse Exception to the Secrecy of Confession
His comments came a day after religious institutions across the country were forced to defend the secrecy of confession after Australia’s Royal Commission Into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse recommended a sweep of legislative
and policy changes, one of which would require priests who hear about sexual abuse in the confessional to report it to the authorities.
"It would also interfere with the freedom of religion of priests if they are compelled to reveal information conveyed during formal ‘confessions.’" She continued, "In this clash of rights, which should prevail?"
It is not known what will become of the recommendation in the report on criminal justice, which was released just months before the commission is expected to publish its final report on its yearslong inquiry.
Archbishop Denis Hart of Melbourne, who as president of the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference represents all Roman Catholic clergy in the country, said Tuesday
that he would rather go to jail than breach the seal of confession.
Castan Center wrote that Such an obligation would undoubtedly enhance protection of the rights of children,
Priests in my diocese in Melbourne are very conscious of the difficulties of the present situation." He continued, "We want to be faithful to God and faithful to our vows,
but we do want to be responsible citizens, and we’re totally committed to that." Please verify you’re not a robot by clicking the box.
"The laws in our country and in many other countries recognize the special nature of confession as part of the
freedom of religion, which has to be respected," Archbishop Hart told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.