David Normand

In a far-reaching report on child sex abuse in Australia, a government commission is recommending that the country's Catholic Church lift its celibacy requirement for diocesan clergy and be required to report evidence of abuse revealed in confession.

Those are among the 400 recommendations contained in the 17-volume final report of the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sex Abuse, which is wrapping up a five-year investigation – the longest in Australia's history.

"We have concluded that there were catastrophic failures of leadership of Catholic Church authorities over many decades," the report said.

The Australian reports: "More than 15,000 people contacted the commission to share their experiences of abuse, more than 8,000 of them spoke personally with the commissioner about the trauma it caused, and approximately 2,500 cases have now been referred to police."

The commission said the church failed to properly address allegations and concerns of victims, calling the Church's response to them "remarkably and disturbingly similar."

The report also detailed abuse in churches of other denominations and at such institutions as schools and sports clubs. However, it concluded that the greatest number of alleged abuse perpetrators were found in Catholic institutions. The commission has concluded that 7 percent of priests who worked in Australia between 1950 and 2009 had been accused of child sex abuse.

Among the report's recommendations:

— A national strategy to prevent child abuse, with a national office of child safety.

— Making failure to protect a child from risk of abuse within an institution a criminal offense on the state and territory level.

— Implementing preventative training for children in schools and early childhood center.

— A requirement that candidates for religious ministry undergo external psychological testing.

— Any person in a religious ministry subject to a substantiated child sex abuse complaint should be permanently removed from the ministry.

Currently, Australian law exempts confessional evidence from the rules that apply to other kinds of evidence in court, according to The National Catholic Register.

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"We recommend that canon law be amended so that the 'pontifical secret' does not apply to any aspect of allegations or canonical disciplinary processes relating to child sexual abuse," the report said.

It said that "Religious ministers, out-of-home care workers, childcare workers, registered psychologists and school [counselors] should be brought into line with police, doctors and nurses who are all obliged by law to report sexual abuse," according to The Sydney Morning Herald reports.

"Without a legal obligation to tell police about abuses, many staff and volunteers failed to let anyone outside the institution know, the commission found," the Heraldreported.

The commission called for the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference to ask the Vatican to introduce voluntary celibacy for clergy. The commission found that clerical celibacy was not a direct cause of abuse, but that it increased the risk of abuse when celibate male clergy had privileged access to children.

In an official statement, Archbishop Denis Hart of the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference, apologized for past abuse, calling it a "shameful past" and said the commission's report "will be taken very seriously."

However, speaking to reporters later, Hart said the commission's report "hasn't damaged the credibility of the church" and called the recommendations on the confessional "a distraction."

"The seal of the confessional, or the relationship with God that's carried through the priest and with the person, is inviolable. It can't be broken," Hart told reporters.

"I think everyone understands that this Catholic and orthodox practice of confession is always confidential," he said.

Hart also pushed back on the subject of celibacy: "We know very well that institutions who have celibate clergy and institutions that don't have celibate clergy both face these problems. We know very well that this happens in families that are certainly not observing celibacy."

The commission's findings follow numerous allegations of sex abuse by Catholic priests in Australia in recent years. In June, Police in Victoria charged Cardinal George Pell, now a high-ranking Vatican official, with sex abuse dating to his time as a priest in Australia in the 1970s and 80s. Pell has denied the allegations.

The report concluded: "Tens of thousands of children have been sexually abused in many Australian institutions. We will never know the true number." the report concluded.

"It is not a case of a few 'rotten apples.' Society's major institutions have seriously failed," it said.

To each his own. Most of the sisters I know are humble and willing to listen. Brothers on the other hand can be as obstinate as a Missouri mule. 

Not really funny. 

Either you accept "generation" as they explain it or you don't. You are looking at a Koine Greek word being translated into a current language. Koine Greek is a dead language. Any translation from it to any other is just a guess whether it is educated or not. Either you accept how the WT Society attempts to explain how Jesus intended "generation" to be interpreted or not. Honestly, I don't lose any sleep on this particular topic. Final analysis, it is still just an opinion that influences doctrine. If this system last another 100 years, then I am sure they will find another way to define "generation" that makes sense of that situation; but, until then I am content to just wait patiently for the end of this system of things when all things will be made clear.

On 12/7/2017 at 7:54 AM, Matthew9969 said:

Question: does the governing body expect the rank and file to view the overlapping generation as doctrine?

There is not a glossary of terms at the end of the Bible that a person can peruse to get the correct sense of Hebrew and Greek words. It is really left up to us to decide what words or phrases mean. Most people do not have the inclination, time, or mental acuity to spend countless hours reading and researching ancient words and phrases and as such we deffer to trusted individuals to do that for us. 

Generation has different meaning depending upon the context. The current OPINION of the Faithful and Discrete slave is that generations refers to overlapping groups of people. At one time it included those individuals who were alive in 1914, which made sense back in the day when there were many folks in that group. Not that that group has dwindled significantly it makes sense to revise the definitions of generation in light of current facts. This may change some time in the future. Only time will tell. 

What's wrong with it? Bride wearing a white dress to her wedding is a relatively modern convention that does nothing but add cost to the wedding and in no way enhances the married life of the participants. 

@Nicole But in both cases, they were fads that had not caught on with majority yet and were more indicative of a rebellious attitude. As  time marched on they became more accepted to the point that it is hardly even noticed and not even commented on. Oh well, we all just need to keep our eye on the prize and keep on with the work which is assigned each one of us which is to advance Jehovah's kingdom interest. 

Wow, that issue was settled almost 3/4 of a century ago and stated unequivocally that as a matter of conscience you cannot force students to pledge allegiance to the flag. Unsettling, but not surprising that this issue pops up now and again.

I commented to my wife last night when a commercial for a new movie was playing that there does seem to be more patriotic movies being produced this year then in times past. However, these are not directly war movies, but more directed at the home front and the need for citizens to support the military. I suppose soft-patriotism might be a way to describe them. They are not in your face patriotic, but rather seek to persuade by showing how soldiers are dedicated to country and family.

Back to the teacher, she does not seem to have gotten the message and is instead using the hard sell method to force student to violate their conscience. 

Freedom of choice and freedom of conscience do not mean freedom from adverse consequences. Things happen. To some individuals a clean conscience before Jehovah and Jesus is the most important thing. 

I remember some counsel related to cartilage piercing a number of years back. At that time it was just getting started and now I see more and more sisters getting their ears pierced on the top and such. Have not heard any talks about that in a number of years. Sisters are still doing it and going out in service and such. Seems to have public acceptance. At least in this area. 

Same was done with ankle bracelets. Recall a talk about why sisters should avoid that. After a circuit overseers wife wore one that was the last I heard against it. 

Mainly brothers trying to impose their own fashion taste. Brothers just need to constantly be reminded that they are not the the masters of our fate as one circuit overseer phrased it. 

Cheers,

Dave

@Gone Fishing Comments are well reasoned and communicated. Thanks. 

Well, I wouldn't. And the third picture looks especially unappealing to me. However, for the Christian so inclined it really should depend upon how it is viewed by those that we meet in our Christian Ministry work. Like beards or tattoos, if it detracts from our message or pushes people away from Jehovah then we might want to rethink our choice to have one. 

(1 Corinthians 10:29-33) 29 I do not mean your own conscience, but that of the other person. For why should my freedom be judged by another person’s conscience? 30 If I am partaking with thanks, why am I to be spoken of abusively over that for which I give thanks? 31 Therefore, whether you are eating or drinking or doing anything else, do all things for God’s glory. 32 Keep from becoming causes for stumbling to Jews as well as Greeks and to the congregation of God, 33 just as I am trying to please all people in all things, not seeking my own advantage, but that of the many, so that they may be saved.
 

This is not exactly the letter that was read last night. Grazing may be appropriate at one of our local buffets, but was not in the letter read last night. Letter reproduced here was a rough translation. 

One of my daughters likes to bring up articles she reads when it mentions JWs in situations such as this. I kindly point out to her that in any large group you are always going to find people who don't live up to the group's standards of conduct. True of religious, political, and social organizations. We live in a world made up of imperfect people so it is nuts to expect all members of any group to act appropriately at all times. It just is not going to happen. 

14 hours ago, James Thomas Rook Jr. said:

The Jews in Poland had homes, jobs and businesses when the Nazis came in. 

Some homes were magnificent, and had been in the family for 600 years or more.

Jews  were rounded up, and murdered.

Those that liquidated everything at 5 cents on the dollar and fled  early with only a stomach full of diamonds, survived.

Those that wanted security starved and froze in the camps before they were burned in the ovens.

Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it.

I was thinking along the same lines. One hates to make comparison's with Nazis, but based upon the direction that Russia seems to be taking the comparison is easy to make. 

The article left me wondering about the aspirin. I have been on low dose aspirin for years. When I went in for an operation two years ago I was told specifically that the surgeon would not operate until I had been off aspirin for two weeks. Since this was a non emergency operation that point with the doctor was non-negotiable. Their doctor should have made it clear and specific that no operation if she was taking aspirin. 

On 10/22/2017 at 10:05 AM, Srecko Sostar said:

I'm sorry, but I think that the view JW members has on these and similar events is under the influence of GB leadership and their interpretation of events to the public with help of JWTV and publications.

JW members are very much constrained by their own lives in the WT Corporation and do not see how other people suffer because of religious beliefs too, whether they are Christians or "Gentiles". Bible stating - "God is impartial!!" - what does it mean for those who are not JW ??? Does JHVH are insensitive for suffering of those people, but only give, pay attention for JW prayers and their letters to Russia? If your Father is impartial, so you as JW member need to pray and for suffers that have Baptists, Catholics, Adventists, Hinduists ....because with such heart and mind and attitude you will imitate Father and Son, as in story of Samaritan. So please start to write letters also for people of other confessions as proof of impartiality :))))   

When I was in jail for "neutrality" as JW, there was also two Adventist boys and two Nazarene boys, for the same issue . Two Adventist boy has been beaten by jail guards because they refused, for the reason of faith of course,  to clean the floors at Saturday, because Saturday is day not for working but for spiritual matters, things. Can they be "wise in front of unbelievers" or those suffer was God's will for them? Or God just allowed their suffer? Because, they were convinced, suffer  is for Jesus name?!  How you as JW member would "judge" their faith and their persistent to not obey secular authorities? Do you think of them as fanatics, as  misdirected zeal?? I am quite sure that JW would say how their faith and believes are not worthy and how Jesus not asking them that and how they wrongly interpret Bible, how their doctrine are err.

Please look in the own mirror, and you will see how "their" face  and "your" face look the same at the end of the day .....or in the morning.:))))))  

How other people act regarding their confession of faith is their business. I work with some folks who insist that working on Sunday is a sin and they refuse to allow company employees (since they own the company) to work on Sunday. Though I disagree with their decision it is not really for me to argue with them about it. They have principles that they are passionate about and I have mine. 

As far as prayer is concerned, What do you suggest I pray for? If I pray for Jehovah to lessen their suffering and he does so, who gets the recognition. They will think that they were alleviated from their suffering because of their (Baptists, Catholics, Adventists, Hindustanis) faith and will not see that Jehovah is the true God. Jehovah is not partial in that he allows the rain to fall on the sinner and righteous one. He does not withhold what is good from us, but he does allow the outworking of events based upon our decisions. 

We had a great public talk yesterday dealing with the issue of "What Prayers Does Jehovah Answer?" Basically, (1) Jehovah answers prayers directed to him (2) offered through his son (3) petition is in harmony with his principles or plan. 

Thank you for bringing out that point. However, in some parts of USA that salient point will be completely ignored.

On 10/14/2017 at 3:50 PM, Nicole said:

The man, who was a member of the Jehovah's Witnesses, was accused of raping the women with household objects and detaining them.

 

The statement that he was a member of the Jehovah's Witnesses does not appear in the article that was posted. Is there another article that specifically links the perpetrator to Jehovah's Witnesses. Also, that entire phrase seems awkward grammatically when compared to the rest of the article. 

18 hours ago, Queen Esther said:

In the meantime  I am thinking like you !  Its little worldly,  bec. too many different pins...  Thats always a problem in our world, from all things it does quickly give a surplus !  So, everybody of us must decide for itself, do I need that, or do I like it ?

Thats my new opinion to that.  Greetings from Germany, Agape !  

Absolutely  right. Personal choice. 

A number of people like to wear pens that identify something about them. I have a Tetragrammaton
lapel pen that I wear upon occasion. My only fear is that some of these pins and such may end up being an idol. Remember the serpent that Moses erected in the wilderness. It was required by Jehovah and served a good purpose, but eventually it was turned into an idol. (2 Kings 18:4) 4 He was the one who removed the high places, smashed the sacred pillars, and cut down the sacred pole. He also crushed the copper serpent that Moses had made; for down to that time the people of Israel had been making sacrificial smoke to it and it used to be called the copper serpent-idol.

6 hours ago, James Thomas Rook Jr. said:

Care to make a guess whether or not the WTB&TS has "signed up"?

They confiscated a home that a Sister left to the Local Congregation I attend and SOLD IT for the money.

If you ask the German Branch office, do you think they will give you a truthful answer ? ... or send three Elders to your home ?

 

Oh, but to answer your question, the last time I had a financial question I asked the CO and he was very upfront about the answer and was rather pleasant about it. (my question had to do with assembly hall finances) I suspect if I was to ask him, assuming he actually knows the answer, he would be just as forthcoming with truthful information. 

6 hours ago, James Thomas Rook Jr. said:

Care to make a guess whether or not the WTB&TS has "signed up"?

They confiscated a home that a Sister left to the Local Congregation I attend and SOLD IT for the money.

If you ask the German Branch office, do you think they will give you a truthful answer ? ... or send three Elders to your home ?

 

Confiscated it from whom? The sister or the congregation she left it to? If she left it to the local congregation then I expect the reasoning was all property belonging to the local congregation really belongs to the umbrella corporation and as such was theirs to sell. Think this is what happened to several congregations last year when corporate ownership changed and the WTS wanted to merge congregations and get rid of superfluous buildings. (if memory servers me correctly, this did not set well with some congregations)

At any rate, this does not really affect me. Not answerable to Jehovah for what corporate officers, elders, or for that matter others in general do. The last time I voiced an opinion about a local issue I was told by the COTBOE that it was not my concern and others were handling the matter. Since that time I just keep my opinions to myself and let things rock on. 

Cheers mate

They may or may not. PLC "Public Law Corporation" may levy up to 9% against congregants on their tax return and the state does collect a fee for this service. However, this is voluntary on the part of the PLC and from what I read not all PLCs avail themselves of the service. 

People do all sorts of crazy stuff when drunk. Alcohol lowers the inhibitions and brings out what the person is really feeling. So, what this person did while drunk probably reflects what he really would like to do, but when he is sober he manages to control those urges. Sadly, as Satan's time gets closer and closer to the end many more people will act the same way this person did; only, they will do so while sober. People really will show their true colours as this system groans on to the end.