By Richard Willingham
The Age
July 22, 2011
http://www.theage.com.au/national/priests-cant-hide-abuse-20110721-1hqyg.html
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| Senator Nick Xenophon. Photo: Andrew Meares |
CATHOLIC priests would be forced to report all admissions of child abuse during confession under a plan from the independent senator Nick Xenophon to make reporting child abuse mandatory.
Senator Xenophon's call was inspired by Irish Prime Minister Enda Kenny, who launched an unprecedented attack on the Vatican this week for its failure to tackle child abuse in the church, accusing it of ''dysfunction, disconnection and elitism''.
Senator Xenophon attempted a similar move in 2003 when he was in the South Australian Parliament and has written to Mr Kenny congratulating him.
He will write to state and federal attorneys-general this week pushing for mandatory reporting.
Federal Attorney-General Robert McClelland's spokesman said issues regarding compulsory reporting of child abuse were a matter for the state governments.
Senator Xenophon said: "No church should be complicit in the cover-up of child abuse just so some paedophile can try and clear their conscience.
''The laws of the land should always trump religious practices. The protection of children should come before any other consideration.
''Freedom of religion is one thing, but it shouldn't mean anyone is free to ignore their obligations to report this most serious of crimes.''
The church rubbished the senator's move, saying it would do nothing to help victims of child abuse.
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