AUSTRALIA
news.com.au
Megan Neil
Australian Associated Press
Clergy who refuse to break the seal of confession to report child sex abusers to police may end up facing criminal charges.
The child abuse royal commission wants a new crime of failing to report child sexual abuse in institutions, including for those people who should have suspected the abuse.
The commission says the importance of protecting children from sexual abuse means there should be no exemption for clergy over information received during a religious confession, despite the Catholic Church believing the confessional seal must not be violated.
Australian Catholic Bishops Conference president, Melbourne Archbishop Denis Hart, says confession is a fundamental part of the freedom of religion that must continue to be recognised by Australian law.
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