i'm a roman catholic priest living in california and yesterday we had a man come to confess his sins; terrifyingly, he confessed to having 'soft' sex with his 9-year-old daughter (this man claimed to be 36 years old) repeatedly in the previous three months. although this information has been held confidential by my fellow churchmen, none of us is acquainted with california state law in the matter, and if it is legal to report this man although he confessed to me with the intention of anonymity, i will do it. i need advise.
May the Lord be with you.
2007-01-22 00:34:08 · 13 answers · asked by jonathoncharles19 1 in Family & Relationships ➔ Singles & Dating
If you have to ask this question in this forum, then you are not really a Roman Catholic Priest. And in the unlikely event that you are an ordained priest, this question, aboult violating the sanctity of the confession shows that you are unworthy.
2007-01-22 00:37:53 · answer #1 · answered by Chief BaggageSmasher 7 · 3⤊ 1⤋
If you feel this man is telling the truth, he needs to be reported and immediatly. There are too many fools in this world doing things like this to little kids that goes unreported everyday. They will question the little girl, and if he hasnt brainwashed her or told her not to tell anyone and she admits that he has been touching her or having sex with her, then this man is in some serious trouble. Im not sure of California state laws either but this is a serious matter that should be given attention to right away. If he is just telling you this to get attention, he still needs help, no telling what his thoughts are and if he has done this sort of thing before.. and if he isnt stopped now this could continue on. I have 3 boys and if I ever found out that anyone ever did something to them, not only would the police know, but I would do some serious damage to them also, and I am not a violent person, but when it comes to my kids, my motherly instinces would kick in.
2007-01-22 00:44:09 · answer #2 · answered by ? 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i suggest u pray very hard about it and then do what your heart tells u to do here. ask the lord what to do. the law protects what is heard in confession and with good reason but what is happening to this girl cant go on. maybe u could lead the authorities without divulging how u heard what is happening. in the medical profession u have to report or lose your license and face jail time. i cannot believe that god would want u to let this continue but i do not know the mind of god. doesn't matter what is legal here father, by stopping what is happening you help the girl and the father.
2007-01-22 00:43:35 · answer #3 · answered by skylinbaby 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
unfortunatly you are a priest and he did do it confessional legally the only way you can do anything about it is to talk with his daughter nonchalanly to see how she is doing and let her know that if she wants to talk to you she can. because she is a child if she tells you, you are legally obligated to tell the police. being a victim myself i hate this i believe that if it is an illegal act being confessed priest should be allowed to make that decision on their own and would hopefuuly choose the right one or you may look at it like this you are a man of god and god says to protect all his CHILDREN the child is being harmed physically and emotionally. if you can stop it now she may be able to have a normal life. i myself have a screwed up life because of the men that messed with me. none of them ever paid for what they done and i have issues. you do what you feel is right and pray for this little girl. if it has been going on for months you can be sure that it will not stop and that she is probably not the only little girl he has done this too. man i hate this but hope i was helpful. talk to the child until she says something it may take awhile but eventually she will confide and you can do something about it
2007-01-22 00:49:39 · answer #4 · answered by dutchess 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
well....in most states you have the ability to report something like this without fear of reprisal....if you think that he is telling the truth, then do the right thing and report it to the authorities...if he told you, chances are he told someone else or left some clues...also the dtr will know and it should be easy for the authorities to help her....you could also report it to the authorities at her school or a social service agency...please do not ignore it in the name of religion...I think we have all had enough of that don't you?
2007-01-22 00:39:26 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The Lord gave us free will. what this means is weather he confessed or not the lord gave him free will to do the right thing. The Lord also gave you the free will to do the right thing. Which should be what you feel in your heart is right. Just know this... imagine the hell that this girl is going through everyday, and will continue to go through if he continues to do this.
2007-01-22 00:43:43 · answer #6 · answered by Dylan m 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Dear Father,
I think you should report this annonomously. Then it will get investigated, and if validated, they will stop it.
You can go online direct to California Department of Social Services at:
www.childsworld.ca.gov/
They have there a section to report child abuse. God Be With You!
2007-01-22 00:55:32 · answer #7 · answered by gabriel3791 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
You need to talk to your bishop or cardinal about that one (or ultimately a criminal lawyer). As disturbing as this case is, confession is considered privileged conversation.
2007-01-22 00:37:41 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Do you realize that anyone can see your previously asked questions? We all know that you are not a preist. Not only that you seem to be disturbed yourself. Maybe you should come out of your mom's basement and go to counseling.
2007-01-22 00:54:27 · answer #9 · answered by chvyno1 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Go to the authorities. I can't believe even the Church would keep this confession to themselves. You have to consider the child in this not the confessor.
2007-01-22 00:39:10 · answer #10 · answered by Lucy 5 · 0⤊ 2⤋