Bill Would Make Clergy Report Abuse Revealed In Confessions
LAPPL News Watch
February 21, 2019
A California lawmaker said Wednesday the state should require clergy members to report suspected child abuse or neglect even if they learn of it during confession.
Clergy members are among a list of more than 40 “mandated reporters,” meaning they are required under state law to report suspected abuse. But that doesn’t apply if they learn about something during a private communication such as confession, a sacrosanct practice in the Catholic church.
A bill by Democratic Sen. Jerry Hill would eliminate that exemption. “The law should apply equally to all professionals who have been designated as mandated reporters of these crimes - with no exceptions, period,” he said in a statement. “The exemption for clergy only protects the abuser and places children at further risk.”
1 comment:
I admit to mixed feelings about this.
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