AUSTRALIA
Australian Associated Press
May 23, 2019
Archbishop urged minister not to broaden law that would oblige priests to report information heard in confession
Religious ministers in Western Australia will be compelled to reveal knowledge of child sexual abuse – even if it is gained through the confessional – but the Catholic church is resisting.
The WA Labor government plans to expand mandatory reporting laws to include all recognised religious leaders who are authorised to conduct worship, services and ceremonies.
This includes priests, ministers, imams, rabbis, pastors and Salvation Army officers.
The laws already apply in WA to doctors, teachers, nurses, midwives, police and school boarding supervisors.
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