If a priest is really committed to protecting children, he could certainly get creative about how to handle information about abuse received in confession. For example, if a minor tells him that he/she is being abused, there's nothing to prevent him from telling the child to come to him OUTSIDE OF CONFESSION and repeat the allegations. He could then certainly act.
But you have to really have the desire to protect children, not the reputation of the church....
Melanie Jula Sakoda Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP) SNAP East Bay Director melanie.sakoda@gmail.com 925-708-6175
Diocese stands by priest in rape case
If a priest is really committed to protecting children, he could certainly get creative about how to handle information about abuse received in confession. For example, if a minor tells him that he/she is being abused, there's nothing to prevent him from telling the child to come to him OUTSIDE OF CONFESSION and repeat the allegations. He could then certainly act.
But you have to really have the desire to protect children, not the reputation of the church....
Melanie Jula Sakoda
Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP)
SNAP East Bay Director
melanie.sakoda@gmail.com
925-708-6175
June 23, 2012 at 1:13 a.m. permalink suggest removal