One interesting thought to come out of the Royal Commission on sex abuse by the clergy is the suggestion that the Catholic Church should be run like a corporation - and that priests should carry their own insurance cover against sexual transgression.
The abuse of children by those in authority is not confined to the Catholic Church. All denominations have skeletons rattling away in their cupboards and perhaps this is a good time to review the responsibilities that go with clerical orders. The law bestows rights and privileges on the holders of office and yet their position in the legal framework is murky !
Appointment as representatives of various religions is at the sole discretion of the head of that order. Under the civil code that applies, this person is then entitled to perform marriage ceremonies, burials and receive monetary offerings from parishioners. There are no rules governing the disbursement of what could then be called " public money " and it's tax treatment usually falls into the category of " exempt " !
A priest, minister - or whatever title goes with the job - is a public figure who is not subjected to the rules and regulations that apply to public office. A Real Estate agent needs to qualify and hold a license and maintain a trust account to guard client's funds - and have insurance cover against misuse. Similar provisions apply to lawyers and a huge raft of professions - including the entire medical fraternity - must ply their trade within a tight regulatory framework. This is something that is entirely missing where religion is concerned.
Even the recognition of what constitutes a religion is obscure. Anyone can declare their own opinion as a revelation that spawns a new religion and if enough people become followers the state usually gives it it's blessing - and confers the right to hold property without paying taxes.
As the " Ellis Defence " has illustrated, it is possible to structure a religion to shield it from legal assault and exempt it's practitioners as servants under it's employ. Perhaps the time has come when those undertaking clerical duties need to be granted an appropriate license - and that license require similar insurance cover against a range of legal transgressions.
The one thing this Royal Commission has achieved is to drag the legal liability of the churches into the public arena - kicking and screaming - and insisting that they have some sort of mystical protection from the laws and responsibilities that apply to us other mere mortals.
If the Royal Commission delivers checks and balances on the conduct of the churches it will have dispersed the fog that has enshrouded religion since the " Dark Ages " !
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