Confessions

Prompted by a recent thread on church paedophilia I feel the more important issue was about confidentiality in regards to confession. Although I understand a priests privileged position to help people who have sinnes and who in any other circumstances would not seek help for fear of judgement and consequences (such as murderers). However doesn’t a priest also have an obligation to protect innocent people. If for instance a man confessed to murder and was likely to re-commit, should a priest compromise that trust between them to protect his parish. Or more concerning if a fellow priest admits to sexual abuse, who is of greater priority the victim or the priest who perpetrated the abuse?

Originally posted by Conrau K
Prompted by a recent thread on church paedophilia I feel the more important issue was about confidentiality in regards to confession. Although I understand a priests privileged position to help people who have sinnes and who in any other circumstances would not seek help for fear of judgement and consequences (such as murderers). However doesn’t a priest al ...[text shortened]... to sexual abuse, who is of greater priority the victim or the priest who perpetrated the abuse?

Originally posted by catfoodtim
and as far as priests and abuse and the greater good of the community, we've seen where the vatican's loyalties lie over the years!
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Originally posted by Conrau K
Well actually the Vatican, from what i know, is frequently passing out compensation to sex- abuse victims.

Im not so sure if the religion is exactly flawed though. If a murderer confides in a priest, that priest can seek help for him. But if a priest is know to break that trust (between confessors), then why would the murderer go to him in the first plac ...[text shortened]... reveal child- sex offendors (I know this law applies in Australia, although that may not count)