The Confessional

[Rex]

This is my first venture into this section of the forum.
I prefer not to get heavy about religion, one reason being that any suggestion that something could have been handled in a better way, is often seen as an unwarranted attack on someone's beliefs.
But something I saw on a TV current affairs program whilst I was having my evening meal, has troubled me enough that I feel I must say something.
The story was about an Australian Catholic priest, who is currently doing 6 years in jail for child sex abuse, a situation all too common in many parts of the world.
Apparently, he confessed his on-going sins 1500 [yes, 1500!] times to various priests and bishops, and yet his abuse was allowed to go on.
An anti child abuse campaigner is calling for Australian State and Federal govts to enact laws which would make it illegal for priests hearing confessions to not notify the police, if they heard about child abuse. As could be expected, a Catholic Church spokesman said that the Confessional would remain confidential. I understand that a priest breaking this rule, could be excommunicated, a threat which would be laughable to me, but which, I understand, could be intolerably devastating to a devout Catholic.
Child abuse within the Catholic Church is all too common, and yet remains largely unaddressed.
On the other hand, uninformed opinions that abuse could conceivably occur at, for instance, nudist youth camps, are pursued by sanctimonious politicians.
Some years ago, a journalist friend did an in-depth series of newspaper articles into child sex abuse within the Catholic Church. I asked him how the paedophile priests could live with the belief that they would, one day, have to account for what they had done in life, and he told me that they believed that, once they had confessed, they were forgiven.
I would suggest that, if the Confessional were no longer guaranteed confidential, if the paedophile priests confessed, they would be brought to justice, and their illegal activities would cease. If they did not confess, they would suffer unbelievable mental agony, and that would, hopefully, stop them from re-offending, a win-win situation.
Any comments?

[Rex]

This is my first venture into this section of the forum.
I prefer not to get heavy about religion, one reason being that any suggestion that something could have been handled in a better way, is often seen as an unwarranted attack on someone's beliefs.
But something I saw on a TV current affairs program whilst I was having my evening meal, has troubled me enough that I feel I must say something.
The story was about an Australian Catholic priest, who is currently doing 6 years in jail for child sex abuse, a situation all too common in many parts of the world.
Apparently, he confessed his on-going sins 1500 [yes, 1500!] times to various priests and bishops, and yet his abuse was allowed to go on.
An anti child abuse campaigner is calling for Australian State and Federal govts to enact laws which would make it illegal for priests hearing confessions to not notify the police, if they heard about child abuse. As could be expected, a Catholic Church spokesman said that the Confessional would remain confidential. I understand that a priest breaking this rule, could be excommunicated, a threat which would be laughable to me, but which, I understand, could be intolerably devastating to a devout Catholic.
Child abuse within the Catholic Church is all too common, and yet remains largely unaddressed.
On the other hand, uninformed opinions that abuse could conceivably occur at, for instance, nudist youth camps, are pursued by sanctimonious politicians.
Some years ago, a journalist friend did an in-depth series of newspaper articles into child sex abuse within the Catholic Church. I asked him how the paedophile priests could live with the belief that they would, one day, have to account for what they had done in life, and he told me that they believed that, once they had confessed, they were forgiven.
I would suggest that, if the Confessional were no longer guaranteed confidential, if the paedophile priests confessed, they would be brought to justice, and their illegal activities would cease. If they did not confess, they would suffer unbelievable mental agony, and that would, hopefully, stop them from re-offending, a win-win situation.
Any comments?

"If they did not confess, they would suffer unbelievable mental agony, and that would, hopefully, stop them from re-offending, a win-win situation.
Any comments?"

Authorities say that the majority of people who think about children sexually never actually carry it out in real life. I hope that is true.

I knew a pedophile once, knew him very well. Besides having this terrible affliction he was also a chronic liar and it went as deep as lying to himself. He was not able to admit that he even did these things much less deal with stopping the behavior.

I would imagine that the great majority of pedophiles aren't catholic to begin with so just using the minority that are, I see this happening. They can't admit the truth to themselves which means they won't stop offending.

I know the man I knew is either still out there offending or in prison again because he was caught. Even though he went through an extensive rehab program I know he didn't learn from it. He could not while other mental issues were standing in the way of his progress. There is no mental agony when mental illness prevents you from feeling it.

NO one should be able to clear his conscience of a crime by confessing it to a priest.

[Outlaw]

Being a life-long Catholic, (though no longer a practicing Catholic) I remember being told that even though one would confess confess the sin of a major crime, it would not be forgiven until it was admitted to the appropriate authorities. Perhaps this isn't the case anymore, but I would hope that it is!

Big Mac

[Burntbuns]

The anomymous "Confessional" has almost gone away. Today, priests meet with those seeking reconciliation. At some point, the confessional protection ends. For a priest going to confession, the removing of the stole (the purple ribbon kind vestment worn by the priest hearing the confession. Once the sacramental side of confession is over, the two may discuss the matter, advice can be given, action can be started. Most non-Catholics and even some Catholics do not understand what is protected and what is not.

The sacrament of reconciliation is a powerful force. It is what enables Catholics to come clean. Some of the coming clean may include getting help and treatment.

The confusion in the Church until recently what that the priest hearing the confession did not know what to say to the person seeking sacramental aid.

[pahjo2]

the former governer of oklahoma, frank keating, was appointed by the catholic church to over see the reports of child abuse by the catholic priests. he said there was so much cover up and refusal to open the records that he resigned saying that he couldn't do the job properly with out cooperation.
does this sound like they want want to get to the bottom of the problem or are they above the law because the are clergymen? maybe the latter is why the former doesn't apply. i believe it is meant to be by nature or by god to be attracted to the opposite sex and when that is forbidden then things take place when they shouldn't.
if priests were allowed to marry then maybe our children would be safe from the very person they are taught to trust the most.

[stevenf64]

quote:

---

Originally posted by Rex:
[qb]
Apparently, he confessed his on-going sins 1500 [yes, 1500!] times to various priests and bishops, and yet his abuse was allowed to go on.

Child abuse within the Catholic Church is all too common, and yet remains largely unaddressed.

I asked him how the paedophile priests could live with the belief that they would, one day, have to account for what they had done in life, and he told me that they believed that, once they had confessed, they were forgiven.

Any comments? [/qb]

---

REX
Out of order but here goes....
YES there is to much (one case is too much) child abuse in the church. I BELIEVE this is a result of a priest not being allowed to marry, which the bible does not say, its a rule the church invented..
Second, Lots of people believe that confession of sins, this is just NOT TRUE, you must confess (no one says to man, the bible says to god), You must STOP doing what you are doing, and You MUST take the punishment that is required by the law....
As for one day standing before their maker and being accountable, They are trying to fool themselves.
steve
PS my opinion is anyone who would do that to a child is not a religious person, anyone can call themselves anything that doesnt make it true...
steve

[Jochanaan]

Blaming the problem of child sexual abuse on priests not being allowed to marry is not dealing with the real problem. I have lived a celibate life for almost a decade now, and I have never sexually abused anyone, so I know it's possible.

The real issue is power. Many priests, bishops, etc., can handle the power they have over people with grace and restraint, for the benefit of those who come to them. But some get addicted to the power, and may even believe that because they are "God's servants" they can do no wrong. Some Protestant ministers believe similar things, and there have been cases of abuse there too.

And certain Catholic authorities have shown by their actions that they care more about protecting the guilty priests than protecting their parishioners from them. This is intolerable. Since the Catholic Church claims to have the Truth, they should always strive to find out the truth and do the right thing.

[TXK NUDE]

I can tell you from my personal experience that in the US it is the law for ministers and priests to report any confession of a crime or the intent to commit a crime. Failure to do so can lead to a charge of aiding and abetting a criminal. When I was a minister, I had to alert all counselees to this rule and ask them if I needed to contact a local police officer before counselling began.