A Novel Approach To Historical Sex Abuse Cases...

[sandyRoe]

The brother of Dana (of 'All kinds of everything' fame) stands accused of a number of indecent assault charges against children dating back to the 1970s. He is said to have phoned the father of one of his alleged victims and said God had forgiven him and he should also, a Harrow court heard.
Two questions spring to mind. How does he know God has forgiven him and could this be used successfully as mitigation by others accused of similar crimes?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-28270216

[Cloverjo]

I don't think the courts would necessarily agree with God, here.
What were the family thinking of, leaving a baby and young girl with a visitor for the weekend?

[Jomlett]

Confession, Sandy. A minute in the box and god has forgiven you!

[Cloverjo]

Not that that excuses his alleged actions, of course.

[Peter Pedant]

.

and there is a political aspect

Dana who stopped singing when she heard that,
is or was a presidential candidate.....
and what chance - holy Maire mudder of God - has she if it is shown that she knew and therefore was complacent ?

I am sure he said God had forgiven him because he went to confession and the priest told him....

oh and by the way [auricular] confession is a sacrament in the Anglican Church so you too can do it as well !

[kvalidir]

I imagine if you think the visitor is fit to be a house guest in your home, you assume they are decent as a person cloverjo, I got the impression she was not a small child and baby brother could be any age younger than her, I don't think her parents have done anything wrong. I'm amazed however that she told her mother straight away and all her mother did was remonstrate with him then drive him to the airport. I think most people would have ripped his throat out at the time. Horrible self righteous pig of a man who thinks he can use God to back up his depravities. I actually think that will make it worse for him, trying to use God in such a way, but it is Ireland so not too sure on that:(

[Peter Pedant]

.

Oh, in terms of ' I dont have to go to court because I have confessed ' ?
erm no you do, part of the forgiveness bit is that you face the er muzak......

[Peter Pedant]

.

erm not that novel.... confessionals have been used for this sort of thing for yonks havent they ?

[sandyRoe]

That's what I thought too. You confess, accepting both your guilt and any punishment that might follow as a result of your actions, but don't try to use it as a get out of jail card.

[inksplotter]

I thought there was some law where a priest could divulge crimes heard in the confessional. But apparently there isn't. Religion ruling the world again...

[inksplotter]

Forgot link.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seal_of_the_Confessional_and_the_Catholic_Church

[sandyRoe]

I meant novel in the sense that someone says, 'I said I was sorry, now let that be an end of it. No real need to take this any further, now.'

[naomi24]

//How does he know God has forgiven him//

Perhaps a Catholic priest told him so.

[Peter Pedant]

NO Inksplotter, there is a rule that they dont.....

however as far as I can see they ( the priests ) can be imprisoned for contempt of court, when presumably they say nobly when the door slams, 'I am here because of my religious beliefs....'

[inksplotter]

Rules aren't the same as laws though, Peter?

[sandyRoe]

Naomi, in a case like this a priest might say God will forgive you when you take steps to right the wrongs you've done to these children. This could include admitting guilt and accepting whatever punishment followed. But the fact that an abuser might serve time in prison is probably small comfort to his victims.

[naomi24]

sandy, I was being facetious.

[Zacs-Master]

Big word for a Sun reader.

[naomi24]

Yes, good eh? I'm learning all the time. :o)))

[douglas9401]

It's going to be a cold, cold Christmas without him.

[Canary42]

Of course the priest forgave him, they're all at it themselves.