Paul KeenanConfessor to report serious crime
Priests of the Anglican Church in Australia will breach the seal of Confession when they are told of a serious crime, including child abuse.
Following a July 2 vote by some 250 of the Church’s General Synod, Anglican dioceses have been granted permission to adopt the provision which is an altering of the 1989 canon on Confession. While clerical sexual abuse has prompted the move, the new ruling means that a priest will have to breach the confessional seal not only on such cases but in relation to any crime carrying a sentence of five years or more which has not previously been reported to the relevant authorities.
“I believe this is a healthy step,” Archbishop Jeffrey Driver of Adelaide said after the vote. He revealed that his diocese will adopt the provision.
The Anglican move comes as Australia continues to examine its record on child abuse via a Royal Commission of Inquiry, with the Catholic Church coming in for particular criticism for years of apparent mishandling of cases. There was much anger in the country last week when it emerged that the Vatican had refused a commission request for access to files on abuse cases relevant to Australia.