Eric de Moulins-Beaufort said, after the publication of the report saved, that the secret of the confession was “stronger than the laws of the Republic”. “There is nothing stronger than the laws of the Republic,” retorts the government.
Le Monde with AFP
The answer is intractable. The President of the Conference of Bishops of France (CEF) is summoned to the Ministry of the Interior in early next week “In order to explain itself on its words” on the secret of the confession, announced, Thursday, October 7, the ‘Entourage of the minister.
Eric de Moulins-Beaufort, who is also Archbishop of Reims, said Wednesday, the day after the publication of the report saved on pedocinality within the Catholic Church, that the secret of the confession was “stronger than the laws of the Republic “. “The minister will receive at the beginning of the week next Monseigneur de Moulins-Beaufort, to ask him to explain himself on his remarks,” said the Minister’s entourage.
“The reaction to these words it is very clear, there is nothing stronger than the laws of the Republic in our country. It’s in one sentence, and it’s very clear (…) The President From the Republic asked the Minister of the Interior to receive the President of the Conference of the Bishops of France so that things are clear, “Hardened the spokesman for the government, Gabriel Attal, at the end of the Council of Ministers.
An alternative to the lifting of this secret
Eric de Moulins-Beaufort also assured to be looking for an alternative to the lifting of this secret. “We have to find a way to do it otherwise,” he explained, stating that the CEF would look “very closely the recommendation of the Ciase”.
The latter advocated on Tuesday to the authorities of the Church to relay a clear message to the confessors and the faithful, on the obligation of the confessor to report to the judicial and administrative authorities cases of sexual violence imposed on a minor or a minor. vulnerable person.
“The secret of the confession should not be opposed to the laws of the Republic, since they do not impose its lifting, considers the President of the CEF. The canon law imposes on the priests the secret of confession as absolute And inviolable (…) is therefore not contrary to French criminal law, “he said in a statement released Wednesday night.