ENGLAND
The Telegraph
May 30, 2018
By Olivia Rudgard
Christians have been told not to confess sex abuse secrets to Church of England clergy because they will tell the police.
Guidance from the diocese of Canterbury says clergy must tell penitents that if their confession “raises a concern about the wellbeing or safeguarding”, the priest will be “duty bound” to tell the “relevant agencies”.
Church of England canon law states that information divulged during confession must be kept secret.
The issue was raised during the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse earlier this year, amid concerns that evidence of abuse could be kept from the authorities.
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