Australia church abuse: Priests 'must report' confessions

[chimp3]

As a Registered Nurse I am required to be a mandatory reporter. I am under the legal obligation to report child abuse, domestic abuse, etc. I am proud that my profession requires that of me. Schoolteachers are also under the same requirement.
We have learned what confession to priests achieves for society. Serial child molesters protected by the confessors. If the Catholics want to use separation of church and state to defend their entanglement with child molesters then I guess they better whip out the bible verses that defend their privileged status. I agree that confession is good. Those kiddie buggerers better get down to the police station and confess their crimes to someone that matters.
My Father is a Pentecostal Preacher. I know for a fact that my Dad would counsel one of his child molesting sheep at the same time he was calling the cops. He would explain how confession is good for the soul and their is someone on the way who is willing to hear that confession.

[Drich]

Oh, hey, Drich is defending the indefensible again. Color me surprised.

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There could be such a church law.  Church law doesn't mean shit.

Fuck 'em.

They sure seem to behave as if there's such a law.

I'll believe the earnestness of the Church when they start handing over suspects instead of reassigning them. Until then I see their hierarchy as accessories after the fact.

For all their preachments, they've yet to do penance for the sin of hiding molesters from justice. They've paid lip service while still shuttling miscreants to and fro.

What a world, what a word when the 1st amendment becomes the 'indefensible.'

[Harry Nevis]

Oh, hey, Drich is defending the indefensible again. Color me surprised.

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They sure seem to behave as if there's such a law.

I'll believe the earnestness of the Church when they start handing over suspects instead of reassigning them. Until then I see their hierarchy as accessories after the fact.

For all their preachments, they've yet to do penance for the sin of hiding molesters from justice. They've paid lip service while still shuttling miscreants to and fro.

What a world, what a word when the 1st amendment becomes the 'indefensible.'

Poor baby.

[Catholic_Lady]

Is the box required though ??

In Godfather III (or was it II ?) Michael confessed to a cardinal (IIRC) and they just use chairs in a garden at the Vatican.  Among other things, Michael confessed to killing his own brother . . . . 

A powerful scene, but perhaps some movie making liberties were taken ??

C_L brought up the importance of the box.

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FYI, and we don't pay to go to confession lol.

Priests don't get paid or given room and board? Don't be naive, catholics pay to go to confession.

Yes, they get paid through donations parishioners give at mass. But no donations are given during confession. It doesn't make them get more or less money.

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Yes, God can do all those things without us going to confession. If we feel remorse for something we have done, God forgives even without us having to say/do anything...

This Christian concept of forgiveness doesn’t concern me, what I'm looking for is justice.

Lol fair enough. That wasn't for you. That was my answer to MH Brewer's question.

[Minimalist]

What a world, what a word when the 1st amendment becomes the 'indefensible.'

No one is saying they should be jailed for what they say.  We are saying they should be jailed for butt-raping children, you dumb fucking piece of shit.

[Thumpalumpacus]

Oh, hey, Drich is defending the indefensible again. Color me surprised.

What a world, what a word when the 1st amendment becomes the 'indefensible.'

Lol, the free practice of religion is subject to the law of the land. That's why you cannot legally be involved in a religion which practices human sacrifice. The law of the land requires other counselors to report molestation to authorities -- teachers, physicians, and so on.

I think clergymen taking confessions should be subject to the same law, because I think justice is more important than church doctrine.

It's good to know that you disagree, though. It tells me even more about your moral compass.

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What a world, what a word when the 1st amendment becomes the 'indefensible.'

No one is saying they should be jailed for what they say.  We are saying they should be jailed for butt-raping children, you dumb fucking piece of shit.

Oh, puh-leeze. Everyone knows that it's more important to protect confidentiality than it is to, you know, remove serial rapists from society. What century are you living in?

Oh, wait. You're in the 21st.

[The Valkyrie]

As a Registered Nurse I am required to be a mandatory reporter. I am under the legal obligation to report child abuse, domestic abuse, etc. I am proud that my profession requires that of me. Schoolteachers are also under the same requirement.
We have learned what confession to priests achieves for society. Serial child molesters protected by the confessors. If the Catholics want to use separation of church and state to defend their entanglement with child molesters then I guess they better whip out the bible verses that defend their privileged status. I agree that confession is good. Those kiddie buggerers better get down to the police station and confess their crimes to someone that matters.
My Father is a Pentecostal Preacher. I know for a fact that my Dad would counsel one of his child molesting sheep at the same time he was calling the cops. He would explain how confession is good for the soul and their is someone on the way who is willing to hear that confession.

Precisely.

Do you know just how much trouble I would be in if I came upon a case of abuse and didn't inform the authorities?

[chimp3]

As a Registered Nurse I am required to be a mandatory reporter. I am under the legal obligation to report child abuse, domestic abuse, etc. I am proud that my profession requires that of me. Schoolteachers are also under the same requirement.
We have learned what confession to priests achieves for society. Serial child molesters protected by the confessors. If the Catholics want to use separation of church and state to defend their entanglement with child molesters then I guess they better whip out the bible verses that defend their privileged status. I agree that confession is good. Those kiddie buggerers better get down to the police station and confess their crimes to someone that matters.
My Father is a Pentecostal Preacher. I know for a fact that my Dad would counsel one of his child molesting sheep at the same time he was calling the cops. He would explain how confession is good for the soul and their is someone on the way who is willing to hear that confession.

Precisely.

Do you know just how much trouble I would be in if I came upon a case of abuse and didn't inform the authorities?

A world of shit. I have been an administrative nurse the last 6 years. I am on a first name basis with APS and OIG.