CARDINAL George Pell’s heartfelt sorrow and apology in his Christmas Message, for the sexual abuse at the hands of priests, religious and teachers, is an important one that needed to be said.
Not only is the abuse completely contrary to Christ’s teachings, it is an insidious criminal act, needing an appropriate response by the Church.
The abusers often excuse themselves by claiming “but I only touched her/him” not understanding that their action often prevents their victim from ever having a sustainable relationship with the other sex, leaving them with a lifelong legacy of insufferable torment.
While Canon Law (Canon 983) specifically and absolutely forbids the priest from divulging anything sacramentally confessed, Canon 962 requires the penitent to feel deep and genuine regret for having committed the sin and to make amends.
This means that absolution should be deferred until the penitent complies with legal obligations.
This requirement could be contained in diocesan guidelines.
Like all earthly institutions, Churches are deeply flawed and some Church leaders have made horrendous mistakes.
Over the centuries, though, Churches have been forces for incalculable good.
Today Churches provide food to millions who are hungry, clothing to millions who are naked, shelter to millions who are homeless, education to millions who are uneducated, medical care to millions who are sick, and comfort to millions who are dying.
Moreover, on so many issues – economic justice, racial discrimination, the treatment of asylum seekers, the death penalty, society’s obligation to the mentally or physically disabled, terrorism, and war – the prophetic voices of Churches have never been needed more.
Clergy sexual misconduct victims have suffered a grievous wrong and it is understandable why legislators have felt compelled to find ways to compensate them.
Clergy sexual misconduct litigation, however, has the potential to create a new class of victims, much larger than those now involved in suing Churches.
The challenge for Churches is to devise a means of fairly compensating victims with as little harm to religious liberty as possible.
DAVID M LANGBRIDGE
Tarragindi, Qld
