Royal Commission

The Latest

Australia's bishops protest national move to force priests to reveal confessions

Dec 2, 2019

Australia’s Catholic bishops support “nationally consistent” reporting standards for the abuse of minors, but cannot support new national legal standards... Read more

The flag of Australia.

Australian bishops adopt new Safeguarding Standards

Jun 3, 2019

Last week the Australian bishop' conference and Catholic Religious Australia adopted new standards to combat the sexual abuse of children... Read more

Tasmania may criminalize priests for upholding seal of confession

Oct 2, 2018

Catholic priests in the Australian state of Tasmania could face jail time if they fail to report sexual abuse disclosed... Read more

Confessional.

Australian bishops defend seal of confession in response to sex abuse report

Aug 31, 2018

By Courtney Mares

Australian bishops have accepted the vast majority of recommendations made after a five-year investigation into sexual abuse in the country.  Read more

Australian state hesitates to require priests to break seal of confession

Jul 12, 2018

The Australian state of Victoria has said a recommendation by the royal commission that it pass a law requiring priests... Read more

Catholic Church in Australia commits to ensuring justice for sex abuse victims

Dec 15, 2017

In a wide-ranging report released Friday, Australia’s royal commission found serious failings in the protection of children from abuse in... Read more

Australian bishops oppose forcing priests to reveal details of confession

Aug 14, 2017

By Elise Harris

The bishops of Australia have indicated that they will resist the Royal Commission's proposal that priests be legally obligated to... Read more

Australian bishops apologize for Church's failure in sex abuse crisis

Feb 6, 2017

By Elise Harris

Days before Australia’s Royal Commission on institutional sex abuse begins their final hearing into the Church’s response to their abuse... Read more