Priests not legally required to report child sex abuse divulged during confession

The Catholic Church is again being urged to remove the sanctity of the confessional for child abuse cases.

New South Wales police are investigating complaints that now-Adelaide Archbishop Phillip Wilson mishandled alleged sexual abuse cases by clergymen in the 1970s and '80s.

An official for the Archbishop says the allegations are without basis.

South Australian Senator Nick Xenophon says the law requires priests to report sexual abuse cases to the police but not if they learn about them in the confession booth.

"Where someone has confessed or has given information in relation to child sexual abuse, that should be notified to the authorities," he said.

"I think it's too important an issue where it's concerning the welfare of a child."


http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/05/19/2903465.htm