Some Kansas Clerics Push To Report Youngster Abuse Revealed In Confessions

This legislation hoping to protect youngsters has moved FAR TOO SLOWLY through Topeka.

The bright side . . .

There's a great deal of support for mandatory reporting and many faith leaders believe the effort doesn't go far enough . . . Check-it:

Survivors of child sexual abuse, including those done or ignored by church leaders, testified in support of House Bill 2300, saying it would restore trust in religious institutions and align moral and legal duties of clergy members.

Judges, law enforcement organizations, advocates against abuse and church leaders from several different Christian denominations testified in support of the legislation. The sole opponent, the Evangelical Lutheran Church, said the bill didn’t go far enough because of the carveout for the exception for confessionals.

“I have been an ordained minister for over 40 years and the confidentiality of the office of confession can and must be broken if there is knowledge of abuse or neglect of a child,” said the Rev. Susan Candea, of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.

Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . .

'It's not too late for others': Kansas clergy must report child abuse if this bill passes

A Kansas bill adding priests to mandatory reporters of child abuse had a committee hearing after years of inaction.