The Arizona Supreme Court has ruled that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints can refuse to answer questions or turn over documents under a state law that exempts religious officials from having to report child sex abuse if they learn of the crime during a confessional setting.
“Unfortunately, this ruling expands the clergy privilege beyond what the legislature intended by allowing churches to conceal crimes against children,” she said.“The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints agrees with the Arizona Supreme Court’s decision,” the statement said. “We are deeply saddened by the abuse these children suffered. The Church has no tolerance of abuse of any kind.”
“Taken together, Adams’ overt acts demonstrate a lack of repentance and a profound disregard” for the principles of the church, Cardinal said in her ruling. “His acts can only be characterized as a waiver of the clergy penitent privilege.” On Dec. 15, the Arizona Court of Appeals ruled in favor of the church, saying it did not have to turn over disciplinary records for Adams, who was excommunicated in 2013. The Appeals Court also ruled that a church official who attended a church disciplinary hearing could refuse to answer questions from the plaintiff’s attorneys during pretrial testimony, based on the clergy-penitent privilege.
That decision is truly heinous and the Supreme Court must be mad. Who will protect innocent children when our own Courts, who claim to provide Justice for and protect all citizens, will not do so?
Law and ethics are two different things, although they should coincide as much as possible.
Make America Rape Again
If you refuse to answer questions and use a law that exempts you from reporting child abuse then you are complicit to that abuse.
So it turns out the church did nothing wrong all along. Where are the apologies from the AP and the Mormon haters?
Of course, the GOP only cares about protecting sick fucking people like this.
Because they are protecting children, right?
I do not understand why the church defended themselves at all in this case. This is insane.
Thing is, though… in most cases, the clergy ALSO hears from their party and/or victims. That is NOT protected by the sanctity of the confessional. The Mormon church is obsfucating the issue intentionally.
Protecting evil pedophiles rapists and criminals. WHY?
The AZGOP supports and enables pedophilia, apparently.
Disgusting
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