2018/07: Catholic priests and the mandatory reporting of child 'sexual abuse: should admissions made in the Confessional have to be reported?
Introduction to the media issue
Video clip at right: On June 14, 2018, 9 News in Perth carried a report on the decision of the South Australian government to introduce new mandatory reporting laws which will compel priests to report child abuse to police or face fines of up to $10,000.'The seal of confession...is in the area of the sacred ... politicians can change the law but we can't change the nature of the confessional'
Bishop Greg O'Kelly, the Acting Archbishop of Adelaide
'Well, from my experience and what I've done and the damage that I've done, I'd say yes definitely'
Gerald Francis Ridsdale, a laicised Catholic priest, convicted of sexual abuse and indecent assault against 65 children, giving his opinion on whether abuse admitted during confession should be reported
The controversy at a glance On June 7, 2017, it was reported that the Australian Capital Territory is expanding its reportable conduct scheme regarding child abuse to include information obtained as part of church services, which will include Catholic Confession.
The new laws will require religious organisations' 'activities, facilities, programs or services' to report allegations, offences or convictions related to children to the ACT Ombudsman within 30 days and will come into effect from March 31, 2019.
Archbishop Christopher Prowse of Canberra and Goulburn immediately criticised the change as likely to be ineffectual in reducing child abuse and as a threat to religious freedom.
On June 14, 2018, it was reported that as of October 1, 2018, changes will also come into effect in South Australia's mandatory reporting laws which will require priests to report information regarding child abuse obtained during Confession.
Federal Attorney-General, Christian Porter, urged all states and territories to follow South Australia's lead as part of the response to the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse.
Bishop Greg O'Kelly, the Acting Archbishop of Adelaide, denounced the new laws indicating that priests would adhere to their religious obligations not the demands of the state.
On June 19, 2018, the Tasmanian government joined those indicating they would be supporting the Royal Commission's recommendation on Confession.
On June 22, 2018, the New South Wales government announced its response to the recommendations of the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse. This did not include requiring priests to reveal information obtained in Confession. The Confession proposal is one of fourteen of the Commission's recommendations being held over for further consideration by the New South Wales government.
On July 1, 2018, the Western Australian government released its 'in principle' acceptance of the Commission's recommendations on reporting sexual abuse of children revealed during Confession.
In response to these developments, on July 4, 2018, a group of 600 Catholic priests from all states and territories came together to declare their determination to defend the seal of Confession.
Victoria, Queensland and the Northern Territory have yet to announce their response to the recommendation.