Tag: Seal of Confession

Pope Francis abolishes pontifical
News

Pope ends a secrecy rule for Catholic sexual abuse cases, but for victims many barriers to justice remain

Author: Christine P. Bartholomew Publication: The Conversation Date: 13JAN2020 Pope Francis recently removed one of the barriers facing sex abuse victims looking for justice – the “Rule of Pontifical Secrecy.” The rule is an obligation under the church’s laws to keep sensitive information regarding the Catholic Church’s governance strictly confidential. This rule allowed church officials to withhold

Read More »
Madonnina
Canon Law

Pope Francis abolishes the pontifical secret for sexual misconduct cases involving clerics

Author: Gerard O’Connell Publication: America Magazine Date: 17DEC2019 In a decision of enormous importance, long called for by survivors of abuse and their advocates, Pope Francis has abolished the pontifical secret for sexual misconduct cases concerning clerics. The “pontifical secret” is not related to the seal of the confessional, which remains absolute (and inviolable) in

Read More »
Pope Francis abolishes pontifical
Child Sexual Abuse

New Catholic Archbishop is confronted by 93yo Eileen Piper over child abuse

Eileen Piper confronts Comensoli Author: Ben Schneiders & Royce Millar Publication: The Age Date: 30AUG2018 A 93-year-old woman publicly confronted the new Catholic Archbishop of Melbourne on Thursday with the harrowing story of how the clergy sexually abused her late daughter. Eileen Piper, her face stricken with grief, presented Archbishop Peter Comensoli with a picture of

Read More »
Pope Francis abolishes pontifical
Child Sexual Abuse

Submission to Protecting Victoria’s Vulnerable Children Inquiry

Author: Archbishop Denis Hart (Archbishop of Melbourne), Bishop Peter Connors (Bishop of Ballarat), Bishop Christopher Prowse (Bishop of Sale), Monsignor Frank Marriott (Administrator of Sandhurst) Publication: Victorian Parliamentary Inquiry Date: 14NOV2011 The Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne, through the Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Melbourne, previously made a submission to the Inquiry on 23 August

Read More »
Pope Francis abolishes pontifical
Child Sexual Abuse

Submission to Protecting Victoria’s Vulnerable Children Inquiry

Author: Vicar General Catholic Archdiocese Melbourne Publication: Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne Date: 23AUG2011 5.9 We also believe that clergy need to be legislated as mandatory reporters of child abuse. (T100/32)It is implicit in this request that it be an obligation for priests to violate the “sacramental seal” of the confession. The suggestion is that requiring

Read More »