The anger of some persons in relation to the current debate on "sacred secrets" is understandable. However, the desire that disclosure of so-called "sacred secrets" would facilitate the apprehending of crime suspects, especially child abusers, would not remain a viable means of assisting the judicial process for too long.

How can they be trusted? - No one would trust the priest or, I dare say, a professional who is known to disclose despite the seal of confession or would have grave difficulty in applying the law of disclosure. Those who practise require a high level of confidentiality. The moment that confidentiality is breached for whatever reasons, that particular role of the professional will not be trusted by anyone.

Psychologically, persons would not be able to apply the justification that a disclosure by a particular professional was mitigated by special circum-stances, e.g the requirement for disclosure of criminal acts.

disclosure

Any professional that deals with confidential matters knows that disclosure at any level is dependent on the 'client' and in the case of the confessional, it is dependent on the penitent. A penitent cannot be forced to share his or her deep dark secrets.

Depending on the nature of the 'secret (s)' shared, the professional or the priest can recommend a course of action and even demand a course of action as a condition for the particular assistance that the person seeks.

So, for example, a penitent seeking forgiveness of a sin that has criminal legal implications would be encouraged to initiate the necessary steps for the appropriate authorities to investigate and pursue justice.

What is the nature of the forum within which confession takes place that precludes disclosure? Simply put, when a person makes a sacramental confession to a priest, it is as if that person were in a private place talking to God alone. The priest represents Jesus (who alone forgives sins) to facilitate the hearing of the confession, to evoke repentance, and for communicating God's mercy and forgiveness to the person. Jesus Christ, who exercises this divine authority, gave this power to me to exercise in His name: "Receive the Holy Spirit, those whose sins you forgive, are forgiven, whose sins you retain, are retained."

alternatives

What are the alternatives to disclosing the secret of the confessional, etc? The likely scenarios within which priest (and professionals) can facilitate reporting of criminal acts are primarily when victims approach them to report an abuse. In such situation the priest/professional would assist the victim to make a report to the authorities. Another situation wherein they can facilitate reporting to the authorities is related to the so-called 'code of silence', which is properly a public secret where everybody knows but nobody talks (e.g the family secret). This situation requires empowering victims or persons with knowledge of abuse to overcome the feeling of intimidation that prevents reporting.

Finally, the priest/professional can encourage vigilance and urgent reporting of suspected abuse so that offenders can be pursued when easy cases turn up, e.g. when battered or pregnant children turn up at public institutions.

Let good sense prevail in this debate!

I am, etc.,

Rev Msgr KENNETH D.

RICHARDS

Kingston