The Roman Catholic Church’s decision to preserve the seal of the confessional is an arrogant and disgusting declaration that they will continue to deliberately and intentionally protect child rapists within in their ranks.
The Catholic Church’s decision not to lift the seal of confession on abuse allegations means it will “continue to fail to act” on such accusations, abuse survivor advocates say.
The Australian Catholic Church said on Friday it would accept, accept in principle or support 98 per cent of the Royal Commission’s 26 recommendations directly relating to the church.
But Australian Catholic Bishops Conference president Archbishop Mark Coleridge said it rejected the advice of its own Truth Justice and Healing Council in refusing to support reporting abuse allegations heard in the confessional.
Maitland pastor Bob Cotton and Maurice Blackburn National Head of Abuse Law, Michelle James both said the church’s response was disappointing but unsurprising.
read more: Maitland Mercury, Sage Swinton