Need for Mandatory Sexual Abuse Reporting from the Confessional: A Letter to Cardinal Leo, Jan. 6, 2025

President Irene Deschênes wrote to Cardinal Leo, Archbishop of Toronto requesting mandatory reporting of sexual abuse expressed in the confessional:

On January 6, 2025 Outrage Canada President Irene Deschênes sent a letter on behalf of the Outrage Canada Board to Cardinal Frank Leo, Archbishop of Toronto requesting that he assure the Board in writing, that Canon Law within your Archdiocese yields to and observes the mandatory reporting requirement of child abuse as noted under Ontario law, specifically section 125 of the Child, Youth and Family Services Act, 2017, S.O. 2017, c.14, Sched.  Here is an excerpt from her letter: 

We write today, seeking your leadership, wisdom and compassion concerning the safety and well-being of Canadian children, in particular those of your archdiocese.

Outrage Canada is a national, non-religious coalition of outraged Canadians, committed to ensuring justice for victims, the safety of all children and the prevention of abuse by the Roman Catholic church. You can learn more about us at www.outragecanada.ca.

An issue which has arisen is the intersection of Canon Law and the secular law of the land (civil law). We understand that Canon 22 of the Code of Canon Law states: “Civil laws to which the law of the Church yields are to be observed in canon law with the same effects, insofar as they are not contrary to divine law and unless canon law provides otherwise.”

Could you please confirm, and assure us in writing, that Canon Law within your Archdiocese yields to and observes the mandatory reporting requirement of child abuse as noted under Ontario law, specifically section 125 of the Child, Youth and Family Services Act, 2017, S.O. 2017, c.14, Sched1? As you know, this mandatory reporting requirement does NOT exempt communications under the seal of the confessional. When someone discloses child abuse it is a precious moment for intervention. Such intervention can prevent further abuse, aid healing and in fact save lives, as some victims resort to suicide as an escape. For you, as a steward and shepherd of the church, intervention is even more important, given the canonical penalties imposed upon clerics who are found guilty of sexual crimes against children. The broader harm done to the Catholic community when these tragic events come to light cannot be understated.

We believe that you are of the same mind as Outrage Canada on this urgent issue, and so we look forward to your assurances that credible accusations, or even suspicions of child abuse, are promptly reported to the secular authorities in your jurisdiction as civil law mandates, including those received within the confessional.