Victoria next state to compel priests to report confessed child sex abuse

Victoria is joining South Australia, Tasmania and Western Australia in moving to introduce laws to force priests to report child sex abuse revealed to them during the sacrament of confession.

Tasmanian law forces priests to report confessed child sex abuse

Laws forcing priests in Tasmania to report allegations of child sex abuse revealed during confession have passed through the state’s lower house.

Priests won't reveal confession, even of abuse: Vatican

The Vatican has reaffirmed the Catholic teaching that priests cannot reveal what they learn in confession, in an apparent response to moves in Australia and elsewhere to force them to do so in cases of sexual abuse.