The Editor, Sir:

The report in the Sunday Gleaner of November 22 titled 'Sacred secrets ...' reveals some disturbing facts regarding the reporting of suspected incidents of child abuse.

Although in Jamaica everyone is bound by law to report cases of child abuse, even obtained in confessionals, the Roman Catholic Church's own rules have placed it above the law, protected by the culture of impunity in which it has cloaked itself. Church officials claim that under the "seal of confession" they are forbidden, even under threat of death, to divulge the information obtained from a penitent, even if the confessor claims to have committed criminal acts.

Seal of confession

Certainly, the seal of confession has been in existence for almost 1,000 years, but upon close examination of the atrocities it has concealed, even nurtured, how will the State choose to resolve this troubling situation? In light of the discoveries made in several countries over the last two decades, where paedophile priests, empowered and facilitated by their superiors, were found to have themselves committed unspeakable acts against children, with no threat of punishment for the perpetrators or recourse for the victims, how can the State permit an institution providing safe haven to child molesters to maintain and manage shelters or homes for children? How can they be trusted?

Like the sinner's choice to accept the good news or be damned to an eternity of torment, the priest is bound by divine omerta to maintain the silence of the confessional or be deposed and be "made a lifelong ignominious wanderer".

Obligation of secrecy

The obligation of secrecy is stamped by Canon 21 of the Fourth Lateran Council 0f 1215: "Let the priest absolutely beware that he does not by word or sign or by any manner whatever in any way betray the sinner: but if he should happen to need wiser counsel, let him cautiously seek the same without any mention of person. For whoever shall dare to reveal a sin disclosed to him in the tribunal of penance, we decree that he shall be not only deposed from the priestly office but that he shall also be sent into the confinement of a monastery to do perpetual penance."

What we find here is that the Roman Catholic Church has its own schedule of punishments not for the perpetrators of criminal acts within its ranks, but rather for informers who violate its code of secrecy. How different is it in this regard from any well-run garrison?

I am, etc.,

FREE THINKER

Baltimore, MD