Church Confession/Coverup vs. Protecting Children

[Engineer61]

What is it with organized religions choosing to "protect confession" over protecting children?

 

We had the issues with the Catholic Church for years.

 

Then we have the Oregon BSA case.

 

The latest is the Brock case in Arizona, where the LDS hierarchy basically sits on their hands while a Mother (and her daughter) abuse a 14 year old boy.

 

It drives me a little whacky.

 

 

 

[perdidochas]

The Catholic Church's policy of confession has little or nothing to do with the coverup of the molestors.

 

Confession won't work without this protection. Also, on a more technical side, someone who confesses a sin to a priest is asking for forgiveness. From the priest I've discussed this issue with, he (and most other priests) wouldn't grant forgiveness to a major crime (felony) without a confession by the criminal to the appropriate authorities as a requirement for forgiveness.

[Beavah]

What is it with organized religions choosing to "protect confession" over protecting children?

 

I think there's a role for confidentiality between private parties in society, eh? I don't think the state has the right to demand access to all of our conversations whenever it wants.

 

We protect spousal privilege, because we feel that da conversations between a husband and wife are private matters. That means that yep, sometimes spousal privilege makes it harder for a prosecutor trying a serious crime.

 

We protect other kinds of confidential conversations, between attorney and client, between physician and patient, between counselor and client. And, yes, between priest and penitent. Such protections can make it harder to prosecute criminals.

 

But it's better than living in a state which can demand access to all private conversations, even the most intimate, whenever it wishes.

 

Beavah

 

[perdidochas]

Beavah,

 

Well said. Our system (at least theoretically) values liberty over security.