THE Catholic Church has spelled out the sanctity and confidentiality of the Sacrament of Confession following revelations that convicted paedophile and former Catholic priest Michael McArdle confessed his crimes more than 1500 times to 30 different priests over a 25-year period.
McArdle, 68, is serving a six-year prison term after pleading guilty to molesting 14 boys and two girls over a 22-year period while serving in Rockhampton diocese.
McArdle’s revelations were contained in a court affidavit filed in relation to civil action against the Catholic Church by three of his victims seeking million-dollar compensations.
A statement issued last Monday by Rockhampton Bishop Brian Heenan said the Catholic Church would continue to address the tragedy of sexual abuse and would do all possible to support victims and their families.
‘Protection of children and indeed all people, is a priority in our pastoral care throughout our diocese.’
However, Bishop Heenan would not comment directly on the McArdle case.
‘I have no wish to comment upon the case which has been referred to, beyond the above statement that confession in the Catholic Church has been and always will be enshrined in absolute confidentiality.’
He said the sanctity of the confessional was a longstanding practice that enabled a person to lay themselves open before God through the ministry of the priest.
Bishop Heenan said the person must have complete assurances that whatever they revealed would not be passed on.
He said the onus was on the penitent to report the crime.
McArdle’s affidavit said he confessed on a weekly or fortnightly basis between 1963 and the mid-1980s, at times driving through the night, to seek confession.
