AUSTRALIA
New Zealand Herald

By Sarah Joseph

Friday Nov 16, 2012

In response to the cascade of accusations and evidence of systemic and decades-long child abuse, the Australian Government finally announced a royal commission into institutional responses to child sexual abuse on Monday.

One possible recommendation is being mooted, that priests be obliged to report any knowledge of child sex abuse to police.

Such an obligation would undoubtedly enhance protection of the rights of children. It would also interfere with the freedom of religion of priests if they are compelled to reveal information conveyed during formal “confessions”. In this clash of rights, which should prevail?