Hi IS MISE...

Mate that's a tough one you've raised here, nevertheless a good topic! The government could introduce legislation requiring Priests to give-up these types of crimes, but only that of child abuse? Why not a heinous murder of a child (the ultimate crime against a child, no doubt) but strictly not child abuse is it?

Many of the older more traditional Priests would probably fail to do so, based on their strict religious obligations as FOXY eluded too in her Post? And how would police prove such a crime?

I could only imagine such a citation: e.g. '...In that Joseph O'BRIAN being an ordained Catholic Priest; on: (time and date) did hear the confession of one Bill BLOGGS, the said Mr BLOGGS admitted he touched up a young male child of 9 years in an inappropriate way; and...? It would end up a disaster.

Defence Counsel would rip it apart; hearsay evidence, proving identity, lack of corroborating evidence; IS MISE it would end up a real dogs breakfast I reckon. Sure, the law could be adequately drafted to encapsulate all the various 'proofs' and legal issues of the crime, and it would be a crime, and what next I wonder?

Those in the judiciary who're practicing Catholics, would they see themselves being able to hear such a matter without allowing their own beliefs and prejudices to enter into their judgments?

I dunno , somehow I can't see this idea getting any legs, and do you think it may well preclude some believers from giving their confession at all, wondering whether their Priest might give 'em up someday, for some yet to be determined crime?

Dear O Sung Wu,

I wish I could be as optimistic as yourself - what those bastards are going to do, is to send undercover policemen to "confess" to molesting children.

If a law is passed then the Pope can nullify it with a few strokes of the pen, so the exercise is rather futile.

Paul1405:

We all know how much of a victim you were as a child but it is totally irrelevant to the discussion. Perhaps you would be better if you saw a therapist as you seem to be crying out for help.

It is worthwhile noting that priests are not obliged to grant a confessor absolution if they do feel that the confessor is truly penitent.

It is also worthwhile noting that there is popular school of thought among Catholic clergy that anyone who confesses to crimes against the person - murder, rape, assault etc. - cannot be considered truly penitent unless they also confess to secular authorities, i.e. hand themselves in to the police. Unless that condition is met, no absolution will be granted, which rather defeats the point of confessing.

Hi there TONI LAVIS...

Well, that is interesting. If the Priest feels the 'confessor' as it were, was not genuine in their confession they don't have to give that individual absolution. As you rightly say, perhaps the whole notion of placing some legal obligation upon Priests to report a serious crime is essentially unnecessary. Moreover I think police wouldn't want a bar of such a law themselves, especially those who are of the Catholic faith. From a legal point of view, somehow I can't see it gaining any substantial traction. Thank you TONI for that perspective, right out of left field for me, I must confess.