I spent some time this morning searching for information spelling out when a pastor is required by law to report abuse crimes. I've had very little luck. There are obviously a lot of churches accused of covering up abuse...all the way from the Amish to Mennonites to Mormons and Catholics. What does the law really say? I'm assuming it changes from state to state, province to province.

This is strictly hearsay, but I've been told that pastors have certain protections and are legally allowed to offer counsel and help in abuse cases TO A DEGREE without reporting it. Supposedly the extent of the abuse and whether it is ongoing or not makes a difference as to whether it must be reported? I don't know, just asking. Does anyone have a web link with good solid info on any of this?

I am in no way condoning what happened in Abbotsford.

Romans 13:1-7 states: "Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and he will commend you. For he is God's servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is God's servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also because of conscience. This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God's servants, who give their full time to governing. Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor."

(from a website)

I am not sure exactly how the law reads or where to find it. But I personally know ministers that have been threatened with Jail time for not reporting abuse that they just suspected but did not have any actual report or evidence of.
I have personally been told by ministers and H ministers, Psychologist, teachers, and other authority members that this is a part of the licensing procedures and part of the training they recieve. that Reporting known abuse is the Law. and while many ministers call upon their status of immunity to telling all they know and the privacy acts,(Hippa) law, they are considered required by law to report any abuse to the proper authorities.

There is quite a bit of useful info at this website.

http://www.churchlawtoday.com/newminlesson.php?156

thanks RM

Here's another booklet put out by Child Welfare Information Gateway that has a lot of good info. This explains the various ways that the laws apply in different states.

http://www.childwelfare.gov/systemwide/laws_policies/statutes/clergymandatedall.pdf

At the church I attend, the pastor told the congregation that by law they were required to report any abuse that person told a pastor. I was a head usher when we were told to stay out of the hall as the RCMP came to pick up a person. The sanctuary is closed from the hallway sso there was few people who saw it. Some of the H pastors are breaking the law big time. This in Manitoba regarding the law.