It is time to end the Ireland’s confessional wars, public debate about mandatory reporting of sexual abuse and focus on real issue, the protection of children says Gary O’Sullivan in the Irish Catholic.
“A Church/State conflict over the confesional seal will not serve either party,” argues O’Sullivan.
So far Cardinal Sean Brady and Ireland’s Minister for Children, Frances Fitzgerald have reportedly been unable to to meet to discuss the issue.
O’Sullivan asks, “could both of them actually focus on the 99.9% of the problem which exists outside of the confessional in order to try and make some progress on this deeply ingrained issue in our society?”
According to O’Sullivan, few abusers admit to child abuse, few confess it and if the Government changes the law no one will confess it if the priest is forced to go to the police.
A priest, who in the current climate wishes to remain anonymous, told CathNews the Irish government’s ideals are laudatory but will not work.
“Having a priest enter the confessional, behind the grill, readied with a digital camera, note-pad and pen to collect names and addresses and phone numbers, in what is normally an anonymous experience, defies comprehension,” the priest said.
He further asked how a priest would process the civil offence.
“Is he going to leave his side of the confessional box, and in front of the others in the church ask the penitent to exit the confessional in order to take his photo and write down his address details?”
The priest also sought clarification on how would he verify the name and address of the sex abuser is correct.
“The need to go to confession with a driver’s licence, passport or some other photo ID probably asks a little too much of a sex abuser,” he said.
The new child protection legislation would apply to doctors as well as priests.
Frances Fitzgerald the Minister for Children said “what is required is a positive piece of legislation which will encourage a culture where child protection is taken seriously” and that such legislation would “require a careful teasing out.”
Sources