Dear SteeleRedux,

Anyone can represent God. It is not up to the confessor or their organisation to assume that role, but rather for the one who confesses, whether they can see the image of God in the confessor.

So yes, it could be a secular school counselor, in which case that counselor is morally obliged to remain quiet and not betray their student, even under threat of prison, torture or death.

Is Mise

You raise some valid criticism. I think the situation as it's developing, re criminalising a priest for not turning in a confessional criminal, is pretty much a straw man argument.

The real issue is the protection of pedophiles by the church, and ignoring their crimes against the children they are charged with nurturing, by simply moving them on to another location, is the issue.

In view of that outrage, I submit that evidence points more to the untrustworthy nature of the church and as a "consequence" of that crime, as it is. It's reasonable to demand legal oversight to the confessional.

They simply can't be trusted with either the truth, or the welfare of children in particular.
The evidence overwhelmingly points in that direction.

And since the RC church in particular, but not only, have more public options to secret confessionals, they could take instruction from the scriptures re James 5:16.
A clear direction to: "confess your faults one to another"... etc. as in evangelical circles.

The clear advantage there is of course, the evidence of a criminal confession is witnessed by many.

Dan

Issy this may be of help.

The Reverend Clarence Devine of the Golden Tabernacle Cathedral in Boysie Ideho is offering the limited edition 'The Complete Home Confessional'. Made from sound proof cardboard and with easy to install instructions, you can conduct confessions in the privacy of your own home, and no one needs to know. Just 4 easy payments of $49.95 And you will be conducting your own home confessions in no time. Wait there's more call within the next15 minutes and you will receive a second home confessional absolutely free. If your sins are not completely cleansed in 30 days return for a full refund of the purchase price. Also included is the Fr Ted blowup priest who will hear your sins and at the press of a button give you absolution! An amazing offer call now they are going fast.

Call 1300 HEAVEN our sisters are standing by to take your order!

Not your bag Issy. How about calling our sinful hot line and confess your bad deeds to one of our Russian Unortherdox Nuns. They are ready to listen! No telling if you don't.

Dan,

How do you propose that there be legal oversight of the Confessional?

Paul,

Leave it alone; it might drop off.

Dear Dan,

«they could take instruction from the scriptures re James 5:16.
A clear direction to: "confess your faults one to another"... etc.»

Yes, a very proper instruction indeed, but the new law takes this option away too.

Moreover, one can no longer confess even the faults of others to anyone, lest they turn their listeners into criminals. Under this new law, even the abused victims themselves can be criminally charged if they are unwilling to disclose to the police what happened to them!