Skip to content
Deacon Keith Fournier Hi readers, it seems you use Catholic Online a lot; that's great! It's a little awkward to ask, but we need your help. If you have already donated, we sincerely thank you. We're not salespeople, but we depend on donations averaging $14.76 and fewer than 1% of readers give. If you donate just $5.00, the price of your coffee, Catholic Online School could keep thriving. Thank you. Help Now >

Australia asks Church to end celibacy and confession to fight child sex abuse

Free World Class Education
FREE Catholic Classes
Church has already taken effective new measures.

A commission established in Australia to investigate child sex abuse has recommended the Catholic Chruch end its practice of priestly celibacy, and for priests to be required to report sex abuse that is revealed in confession. 

The Royal Commission has recommended that the Church end celibacy and break the seal of confession.

The Royal Commission has recommended that the Church end celibacy and break the seal of confession.

Highlights

By Marshall Connolly (Catholic Online)
Catholic Online (https://www.catholic.org)
12/15/2017 (6 years ago)

Published in Asia Pacific

Keywords: Australia, child sex abuse, Catholic Church, celibacy, confession

LOS ANGELES, CA (California Network) - An Australian commission established to investigate the problem of child sex abuse has some starling recommendations for the Church. 

In recent years, the issue of child sex abuse has come to the forefront of discussion with the public shocked by cases from schools, teams, and churches. The commission reviewed cases from all areas of society, but had some pointed recommendations for the Church. 

The commission suggested the Church end the practice of priestly celibacy and order priests to break the seal of confession and report confessed child abusers to authorities. 

According to the commission's report, the confidential nature of confession "contributed to both the occurrence of child sexual abuse in the Catholic Church and to inadequate institutional responses to abuse."

"Church leaders have viewed child sexual abuse as a sin to be dealt with through private absolution and penance rather than as a crime to be reported to police. The sacrament of reconciliation enabled perpetrators to resolve their sense of guilt without fear of being reported." 

The likelihood either of these proposals will be adopted is slim. Priestly celibacy is a long and rich tradition within the Church that ensures clergy are devoted to their parish families and to Christ. The seal of confession cannot be broken either, as it would discourage people from confessing their sins and could jeopardize their souls. Instead, priests have been advised to encourage such individuals to turn themselves in to authorities and to seek help for themselves and their victims. At the very least, a priest may be able to convince a person to stop their abusive behavior. If a victim reports abuse, priests will encourage the victim to report their abuser. 

The Church now requires that priests who are accused of abuse be suspended and reported to civil authorities. 

Join the Movement
When you sign up below, you don't just join an email list - you're joining an entire movement for Free world class Catholic education.

Prayer of the Day logo
Saint of the Day logo

Catholic Online Logo

Copyright 2024 Catholic Online. All materials contained on this site, whether written, audible or visual are the exclusive property of Catholic Online and are protected under U.S. and International copyright laws, © Copyright 2024 Catholic Online. Any unauthorized use, without prior written consent of Catholic Online is strictly forbidden and prohibited.

Catholic Online is a Project of Your Catholic Voice Foundation, a Not-for-Profit Corporation. Your Catholic Voice Foundation has been granted a recognition of tax exemption under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Federal Tax Identification Number: 81-0596847. Your gift is tax-deductible as allowed by law.