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1. While the sentiment of Senator's comments are understandable, his understanding of the 'seal of confession' is not. Unless the seal is maintained, nowbody would confess to a priest in he first place if they knew that the matter would be reported. In practical terms, priests mostly hear confessions anonymously behind a veil, so they do not know the identity of the penitent. - Sydney, NSW

   Posted By: Oztony

2. Does the Greek Orthodox Church have confessionals? I would expect that Sen Zenophon would be a Greek Orthodox. To go on with his argument, does he suggest that the confidentiality of lawyers, of doctors, of journalists be abolished.
   Watch out, Senator, you could have the really big guns going for you if you proceed along this line.
   Finally, Senator, wake up - if this confidentiality is abolished do you really think that people would 'confess'?

   Posted By: g healey - Sydney NSW

3. The confessional is completely sealed and the person confessing is not confessing to a priest but to Jesus Christ.
   The senator should know this and if he continues this line the penitent will confess only to someone who is not known to them. This will make it even more difficult to weed out the problem. Wake up Senator, you should know better. - Geelong, Vic
   

   Posted By: Ann

4. I believe Senator Xenophon's opinion needs to rethought. Yes, child protection is extremely important; however the Sacramental seal on confession is above law, senators, government.
   This is Christ's church. Her seals/sacraments stand above any government.
   Perhaps Sen. Xenophon thinks that priests would just absolve those perpetrators and let them walk. I have more faith in our Priests and believe they would request those who committed such heinous acts to go to the police prior to any absolution or perhaps take another route.
   I would be interested to hear what Cardinal Pell or another one of our Bishops have to say about this idea.
   If the above is accepted, what would stop them from enforcing any other piece of information confessed to be passed onto police like robbery, drug use and so on.

   Posted By: S.Gordon

5. Senator Xenophon, it ain't ever going to happen! Down through the centuries, Priests have given their lives rather than reveal the confessions of others.
   - Sun Valley CA USA

   Posted By: stan

6. Any change to violate the seal of the confessional would be wrong and would do great damage to the sacrament and potentially endanger souls.
   God's mercy can't be limited by men however good or sensible their reasoning might be.
   Every penitent has a moral obligation to avoid further sin and do everything in their power to fight against further sin. The onus is on the perpetrator, not the confessor, to take the necessary action to right the wrong, protect the innocent and prevent as far as possible any further harm.
   Violating the seal would only push this horrific sin further underground and make things worse for everyone - the sinner and the victim. Those who claim that confession allows perpetrators of abuse to continue their crimes don't understand the very basics of what the sacrament of reconciliation is all about.
   In the end, though, politicians can make what laws they please. Where the sacraments are concerned God's law overrules them all. There will be no hiding place in Hell for those who violate God's commands, be they child molesters abusing the sacrament of penance or any priest silly enough to violate the seal of the confessional. - Katoomba, NSW

   Posted By: Luke Reid

7. If people really want to know why the Church is 'like a rabbit in the confessional headlights', have a listen to Encounter - Where is the fire of Pentecost?
   It will be aired on ABC Radio National Sunday 23 May 7.10am (Repeated Wednesday 26 May, 7.05pm; and Thursday 27 May, 4.05am) This is a must listen for all readers of CathNews.
   
   - Melbourne, Victoria

   Posted By: MJB

8. The attack on Archbishop Philip Wilson, where he answered several allegations against him on the ABC,was an embarrassment. He denied any knowledge or complicity. It was trial by media.
   The police are investigating, so why should the Archbishop be subject to such scrutiny?
   For Senator Xenophon to go from such shifting sands to demand the secret of the confessional beviolated, retrospectively in this case,would go against any concept of fairness.
   I think he should stick to the Murray- Darling basin and protecting whistleblowers rather than attacking the spiritual life of many of his constituents.

   Posted By: Lewis P Buckingham kellyville NSW

9. Even if it were possible for a priest to violate the seal of the confessional, in most cases the priest does not know who is confessing to him on the other side of the screen.
   Even if the confession is face to face, it is still likely that the priest does not know the person. - Goulburn NSW

   Posted By: Lance Eccles

10. For centuries, the seal of confession has stood. Murders and many other henious crimes, have been divulged to Priests but the facts have remained there. God is the judge of these people's motives, not man. Leave well alone! - Canberra, ACT

    Posted By: Gavin

11. So many valid comments above. Sn Xenophon obviously does not understand the role of the confessional. The confidentiality is sacrosanct, even should torture be applied to the priest. But it is surely just a headline grabber, for how would such a law be enforced? Who would know if someone has confessed a reportable crime? The priest would in good conscience ignore such a law – according to the theological principle : “in a conflict of laws, the higher law prevails”. But he has done one thing, he has united us all, leftists and conservatives, by this issue.

    Posted By: Boutros Neru, Eden NSW

12. So many valid comments above. Senator Xenophon obviously does not understand the role of the confessional. The confidentiality is sacrosanct, even should torture be applied to the priest. But it is surely just a headline grabber, for how would such a law be enforced? Who would know if someone has confessed a reportable crime? The priest would in good conscience ignore such a law – according to the theological principle : “in a conflict of laws, the higher law prevails”. But he has done one thing, he has united us all, leftists and conservatives, by this issue.

    Posted By: Boutros Neru, Eden, NSW

13. So many valid comments above. Sn Xenophon obviously does not understand the role of the confessional. The confidentiality is sacrosanct, even should torture be applied to the priest. But it is surely just a headline grabber, for how would such a law be enforced? Who would know if someone has confessed a reportable crime? The priest would in good conscience ignore such a law – according to the theological principle : “in a conflict of laws, the higher law prevails”. But he has done one thing, he has united us all, leftists and conservatives, by this issue.

    Posted By: Boutros Neru, Eden, NSW

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