Posted by Margaret (206.203.36.167) on April 29, 2002 at 19:53:47:
In Reply to: Is it the same phenomenon that excludes Bob Downey from three-strikes narcotics statutes? *text* posted by Diarmuid (194.125.220.45) on April 29, 2002 at 07:54:43:
: Here in Ireland, we've had the same slew of revelations. the rapist priests themselves get jail, but the Bishops who knew about it, and didn't call the cops about it, don't.
: I think the immunity comes from confession: a priest cannot be legally compelled to speak about what he learns in confession. It's the worst possible sin: worse than raping and murdering the Pope.
: BUT, if he learned about the abuse from complaints made to him by victims, and he didn't alert the authorities, then he can and should be jailed as an accessory.
: Though, a small question: how come the victims chose to complain to the priest's boss instead of the cops? If you're attacked by a McDonald's employee, you tell a cop, not his manager.
My guess is maybe they feel more comfortable telling a soothing religious authority rather than a rough cop.