An array of pastoral as well as legal issues were explored by experts in the fields of family violence including child abuse, domestic violence, elder abuse and rape. A panel of experts and community resource people, chaired by Terrie Iacino, Associate for Human Concerns and Social Justice in the OPM, provided advice and community resource information. Panelists included staff persons from the county Public Health Department, Santa Clara County Social Services Agency, San Jose Police Department Family Violence Center, Catholic Charities, San Jose YWCA Rape Crisis Center, Support Network for Battered Women, Long Term Care Ombudsman Program of Catholic Charities, and the Child Abuse Council. People favor restrictions on alcohol advertising. People favor bans on assault weapons.
Many people think that California s juvenile justice system is too lenient.
This is applicable in ministry malpractice. Ministers, he said, must deal much the same as professional counselors deal with clients in which privacy, confidentiality and privileged information play a significant role. There can be tension between the pastoral dimensions and legal obligations of ministers regarding legally mandated reporting of actions defined as crimes. Linda Bearie, Chancellor of the Diocese of San Jose and Director of Personnel, discussed details of the law which specifies clergy as mandated reporters with the exception of confidential penitential communications, i.e., the Sacrament of Confession or Reconciliation. This can be done anonymously or at least without the accused person knowing the source of the report.