Senior Catholic says he will refuse to break the seal of the confessional

NACA Feature

Archbishop-elect Peter Comensoli (left) is seen during a mass to officially replace the retiring Archbishop of Melbourne, Denis Hart. Source: AAP

Melbourne's most senior Catholic says he will go to jail rather than tell police if someone told him during confession that they had sexually abused a child. A bill introduced on 14 August in Victoria's parliament would require religious and spiritual leaders to report child abuse to authorities.


Priests and religious leaders could face up to three years in jail in Victoria if they don't report child abuse allegations. New laws introduced to state parliament will make it mandatory for religious leaders to report suspicions of physical and sexual abuse of children.

The Minister for Child Protection, Disability, Ageing and Carers in Victoria, Luke Donnellan, says like police, teachers, medical practitioners and early childhood and youth justice workers, clergy should be compelled to report abuse.

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