"But, I was only following orders..."

[MineralMan]

Bishop: Father Warren, as you know, the diocese is being sued for child sexual abuse that happened in your parish. There are several accusations against Father Wilson by adults who claim they were sexually abused between 1985 and 1999. Those were the years when Father Wilson was in your parish before he died in 2001. What do you know of this?

Father Warren: I was aware of such sinful acts, Your Excellency. I was Father Wilson's confessor.

Bishop: Did he tell you of his sins in confession?

Father Warren: He did, Your Excellency. I gave him a serious penance to carry out. He made a good act of contrition, so I absolved him.

Bishop: To your knowledge, did those acts continue?

Father Warren: They did, Your Excellency.

Bishop: Did he confess to you on other occasions?

Father Warren: He did, Your Excellency.

Bishop: This is very serious, Father Warren. I will remind you that what is told you in confession is not to be repeated. If you are asked in court about this, you are to claim the sanctity of the confessional and not answer. We must protect the sacrament.

Father Warren: I understand, Your Excellency. I will not speak of it.

Bishop: Remember, that the sanctity of the confessional extends even beyond the death of the penitent. If that sanctity is violated in a civil court, that could lead to many, many consequences that threaten our holy institutions and sacraments. It is a grave sin to violate that sanctity, which has protected us over many centuries.

Father Warren: Yes, Your excellency. I will remain silent.

Bishop: Good. We will speak no more of this, then.

[trotsky]

1. But... but... but...

the same thing happens in public schools in their confessional booths, right?

[MineralMan]

2. Wait...what...schools have confessional booths?

Does the military, too? The Police?

I'm so confused, now...

[marylandblue]

4. Schools call it the Principal's Office

[marylandblue]

3. Well I did confess to spitballing in school and the teacher absolved me

My penance was a dirty look and The Walk of Shame back to my desk. If that had gotten out the scandal would have been horrendous. My parents might have given me a really long lecture.

[3Hotdogs]

5. I guess you chose glance over the part about serious penance.

What, two Our Fathers and one Hail Mary ain't enough for yiz?

[Cartoonist]

6. Things that must be protected

The environment
Physical health
Mental health
Freedom
Liberty
...
...
...
(way down on list) Sacraments

[MineralMan]

7. Sacraments are purely internal to religion.

They have nothing to do with society, and should not weigh at all on legal matters. They are immaterial, and apply only within a particular religion.

There is nothing special about a priest or pastor. Both are citizens and subject to civil law. If a religious sacrament harms individuals, either by commission or omission, it should be void under the law, in my opinion. To do otherwise is to establish that religion above the law, which is prohibited by the 1st Amendment of the Constitution.

We allow the sacrament of marriage and allow religious leaders to perform and record marriages. However, it is not a requirement. Judges and other officials can perform marriages, as can a number of others in most states.

We don't regulate mass, communion or the eucharist, because it has no impact on society, and is just part of religous worship.

No harm to society is done by the sacrament of last rites, so there are no laws against that, either. Baptism is purely religious, as well. So are the sacraments of holy orders and confirmation. They have nothing to do with the society in general.

The only sacrament that affects the law, really, is the sacrament of reconciliation, which includes confession, penance and absolution. The church cannot absolve crimes. Absolution only has to do with religion. Crimes are state issues. There should be no protection from legal justice granted by any church. That makes a mockery of law. No laws should be written that protect that religious sacrament to the detriment of anyone. Victims of crimes should have access to all evidence against the perpetrator of that crime.

[Cartoonist]

8. Lock 'em up

When a parent denies their child medical care because of "Religion", they will face criminal charges. So why are priests protected?

[MineralMan]

9. Journalists who refuse to name their sources sometimes

face Contempt of Court charges and spend time in jail. They claim 1st Amendment protection, too, but that does not stop judges from finding them in contempt.

The same should apply to priests who claim confessional sanctity. If they stand on their beliefs, jail them for contempt until they see the error of their ways.

Fair's fair.