Does celibacy so circumscribe your empathy and morality that you cannot respond with fierceness and passion in the face of abuse towards children? Does the same apply to celibate females? Many non-celibate people do not have children -- are they also unable to feel this level of instinctive reaction towards the protection and defence of children? Does having a child of your own mean you will instinctively respond fiercely and passionately to abuse of children other than your own? Francis T N : 14 Nov 2012 4:57:26pm That's one of the stupidest thinking of those who think confidentiality of the Catholic confessional should be broken! it is obviousely they have not had any minimum knowledge about this issue. If they have just a normal judgement they would not even have mention of this. It is regrettable there are some people got the wrong direction on confronting abuse. Marcus : 15 Nov 2012 4:31:38am I couldn't agree more. If priests are required to go to authorities on crimes confessed, who is going to confess? The fact that someone is confessing, may be a sign that at last there conscious is provoked and maybe they will seek help for themselves. Elaine : 16 Nov 2012 2:24:59am The question must be asked Marcus - whose benefit is being served by your argument against authorities being alerted to serious crimes confessed to a priest? Surely the perpetrators confess purely to cleanse their own souls, with no thought whatsoever for those against whom they have