Breaking the Seal - the Confessional and the Law

Rob's address "Breaking the Seal - the Confessional and the Law" is prompted by the findings of the recent Royal Commission of Enquiry into Child Sexual Abuse which recommended mandatory reporting by priests of instances of Child Sexual Abuse heard during confession. This puts them at risk of either breaching their sacred Seal of Confession or risk criminal penalties and imprisonment should they fail in their mandatory duty to report instances of child abuse as required under State Law. When conflict occurs between the Law of the State and The Law of the Church over a confession regarding child sexual abuse, which is to prevail? As a Unitarian Minister, and as a former Catholic - himself a victim of Child Sexual Abuse, Rob is uniquely placed to consider this ethical dilemma.