Continuing Debate: Mandatory Reporting
April 3, 2008 at 11:54 am | In Articles, Media |Tags: Mandatory reporting of abuse, Religious confession
Our post about the issue of mandatory reporting of abuse for religious leaders attracted quite a lot of attention. Interestingly this article in Maroondah’s Leader also takes up the debate again, looking at responses from churches.
A Catholic priest said he though the church should question the church’s stance, adding “I believe it’s up to the conscience to report it to the police”.
Is it enough- or even fair- to ask religious leaders to make that call?
2 Comments »
RSS feed for comments on this post. TrackBack URI
Leave a comment
-
Recent Comments
» “100 Child… on “100 Children A Night In… Mary on Therapeutic foster care’… Josh on Therapeutic foster care’… Mary on Therapeutic foster care’… Josh on Therapeutic foster care’… Sitemeter
Blog at WordPress.com. | Theme: Pool by Borja Fernandez.
Entries and comments feeds.
If a Catholic makes a confession, that is constitutionally protected private information, no matter what it is. It is also viewed as a sacrament of the Holy Spirit.
Comment by LK — April 4, 2008 #
I completely understand that LK, which is what makes the whole question really difficult both morally and spiritually. My point is just that perhaps that when information is, as you say, “constitutionally protected” in cases like these there is a risk of abandonment of our obligation to protect children against abuse.
I would hate to see religious sacraments used to protect abusers rather than victims.
Comment by Jess — April 4, 2008 #