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Acutally, that statistic has been sent around the internet for some time now. The orign of it comes from the work of a researcher who has been devoting considerable time to saying it is not true and a misapplication of his work. If you would like, I will go hunt down his statement.

But more importantly, it is not the number of clergy involved in abuse (better research shows that it might be about even between Protestants and Catholics. The denomination with one of the lowest rates is the predominently gay Metropolitian Community Church). It is the fact that the Catholic priests involved were not guilty of single acts of abuses, but repeated acts, often known by their superiors and with their tolerance. This is the scandal.

Axios

The understanding of the seal of confession is the same in both the Catholic and Orthodox Churches. Anything that is said during the time of confession or any situation even remotely resembling confession is not to be repeated. If someone was approaching without the intention of seeking sacramental forgiveness anything they say is covered by the seal of confession. In the example provided by Theophan I had assumed the example was one of someone going through the motions of confession, without a real intention of seeking forgiveness. If, as Axios suggested, this person blurted out the information to a priest in a situation that could not possibly be taken as either sacramental confession or a private conversation then the priest would not be bound to silence.

The gay "Metropolitan Community Church" is not a real Church. Because this organization rejects God's clear teaching regarding the sinfulness of homosexual sexual intercourse there is no way anyone supporting such a misguided organization can have the moral authority to speak about anything. I agree with Axios, however, that the scandalous and sinful existence of such a pseudo-Church does not mitigate the scandalous and sinful activity by some Catholic priests and the tolerance by their bishops.

In my last post, I made some assumptions that may not be assumptions for you, my brothers in the Eastern churches.

First of all, I assumed the closed confessional common in Latin churches. It's rather hard to distinguish someone's sincerity when there is a form behind a screen covered with a linen coth.

Secondly, the priest cannot presume to judge the sincerity of the penitent unless the person actually states that he is not sincere and does not intend to reform.

The case that I cited assumes that the person went through the motions, even reciting the prayer of contrition.

As far as I understand the Seal, even when there is a danger to others, it cannot be broken. My Latin confessor tells me that even leaving the priesthood does not give the priest the ability or the right to reveal things learned in the internal forum. It seems to run contrary to our civil sense of justice but that is the serious nature of our understanding of the Seal of the Confessional.

Oh, that's right! *smacks forehead* - Befehl ist befehl! :rolleyes:

Yes, but of course, no Protestant denomination is a real church. They are in the same boat as the Presbyterians.

Axios

Many people believe it is just a matter of time before Cardinal Mahoney resigns. I have heard that a local AM talk radio station (KFI AM)got a hold of some emails between Cardinal Mahoney and his advisors. The emails were very shocking. Cardinal Mahoney had a judge remove them from the radio stations web site. Many sites have copied that original site. Such as the none catholic site: http://www.geocities.com/cardinalmahoneysemails/index.htm

I hope the church gets through this crisis soon!

Catholic-man,

I've read through about 40% of the emails. If I'm understanding the interchange the most disturbing part of them is the disobedience of Sister Judy. Am I reading them correctly?

Dan Lauffer

Here is the local news story: http://www.mcall.com/news/local/la-040502email,0,5205862.story?coll=all-newslocal-utl

If you do a search for ":-P" I think you will see we need to say prayers for the church.

Hey but how trustable are these sources?

Anyway I think it is very healthy for you Catholics and your Church in the United States to have this facts solved, and to have the truth revealed. Priests and people who are fighting against this are very brave, this is unprecedented because the Church will definately change her attitude and will be more transparent, it is unfortunate that in other Catholic nations (like my country), these crimes which in fact occur too, are kept in secret and outside the control of the civil authority. This crisis in the USA will sure pass.

Then I was correct. Sister Judith refused to follow the bishop's direct order to release the names of those three priests to the authorities. I do not see how that adversely affects Mahoney? Can you help me here?

Dan Lauffer

Dear Administrator,

There have been times in the Church's history when bishops have told their priests that certain sins confessed in the Sacrament of Penance MUST be reported to them, seal of confession notwithstanding.

St Charles Borromeo, for example, ordered his priests to inform on anyone confessing heretical views in confession.

Alex

I doubt such overzealous orders could be enforced or were valid. Such is an overstepping of boundaries, it seems to me.

In Christ,

anastasios

Dear Anastasios,

Sad, but true!

You could read it in the life of St Charles - once you are through with the lives of all the Orthodox Saints that is!

Are you over with your exams yet?

Alex

Glory to Jesus Christ!

I am not familiar with the intricacies of the Massachusetts criminal or civil codes and will not speak to them.

As a general matter, I tend to agree with DJS. I think the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, if it has enacted such a reporting requirement, would have acted prudently to protect children now and in the future. This must at least partially satisfy some victims. Often you hear from victims that they want to make sure that what happened to them does not happen to someone else in the future. I believe that is a noble and just sentiment from those who have suffered grievous harm.

St. Augustine - a great legal mind, IMHO - really teaches us that justice is giving to each what he is due. That sounds simple, doesn't it? Problem is, it is hard to apply sometimes - but we have to keep trying. I admit that I am quite stumped as to what justice dictates: How can we ever return innocence to child victims who are now grown and have undoubtedly suffered for many, many years? How can we ensure that those entrusted the flock never act as bad shepherds in the future?

Tough questions. No easy answers. Please, say a special prayer - ask the great Mother of God to intercede for all of us, and to help us frail humans and our legal systems dispense justice and mercy.

Annie

Sign me as a
Franciscan, lawyer, and sinner.

Here's a Globe article that discusses the grand jury investigation, mentions the new law (enacted May 3, 2002)and other legislative initiatives, and touches on a few other legal issues, such as grand jury reporting and statute of limitations.

http://www.boston.com/globe/spotlight/abuse/stories2/062002_law.htm

The new law requires members of the clergy to report any reasonable suspicion of child abuse to proper authorities; an exception is made for knowledge of abuse gained in “confession or similarly confidential communication”. Prior to the enactment of this law, clergy were not included among the specified "mandated reporters" (social case workers, etc.).

An interesting part of the article:
The saying goes, "bad cases make bad law". But it seems there is some restraint being exercised here.