Folia Theologica et Canonica 10. 32/24 (2021)
Ius canonicum
86 GORAN JOVICIC Australia and Europe as a response to the recent discoveries of abuse of minors in the Catholic Church. Not only the Church officials but also the various sectors in our civil society failed to address adequately the abuse crisis. Fortunately, in recent years there is a significant progress of awareness and prevention made in both societies. The problem arises however when civil legislations include lately the priests among various professionals such as physicians, social workers etc. as mandatory reporters not permitting any exception whatsoever, even if priests become aware of the abuse of minors within the sacrament of confession. These new developments in the civil law legislations go too far violating the religious freedom, since the seal of confession is absolutely inviolable. In the next article the author will examine the theological and canon law implications of the seal of confession and how it is related to religious freedom. Furthermore, the author will propose recommendations to the confessors, how to deal more effectively with those cases, helping the victims in the healing process and encouraging perpetrators (in case they will approach the confessor at all?) to seek further help, healing and conversion.
