Police: Man Confessed Sex Crimes To Bishop Weeks Before His Arrest
POSTED: 8:30 p.m. EDT July 28, 2003
GREEN COVE SPRINGS, Fla. -- Authorities in the Florida State Attorney's office are investigating whether a Mormon bishop broke the law by failing to report the possible sex crimes of a Clay County church mentor accused of molesting boys in his congregation.
Rodney Staley (pictured left) faces 12 counts of lewd battery involving six children. Detectives said Staley confessed his sexual abuse to the Bishop of his church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Orange Park. Police said that confession was made weeks ago, but they did not know about the crimes until last Thursday.
Police said Staley's bishop did not follow a new statute that went into effect last June. The statue says that anyone, including church leaders, must report cases of child sexual abuse. This has raised many questions about confidentiality between religious leaders and their congregation.
The State Attorney's office said child abuse must be reported even if that breaks confidentiality.
"These privileges, including the privileges between a clergy and a church member, are not valid in the case of child abuse," Shauan Wright, from the State Attorney's Office, told Channel 4's Jennifer Waugh.
Channel 4 contacted the Mormon Church and officials there said they agree with following the laws in each state.
"For 20 years, our policy has been to follow the reporting law in each state. What's most important is to get immediate help for the suspect and the victim, including calling law enforcement," said Mike Otterson, a spokesman from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
A local Catholic priest had differing views. He said his interpretation of the state statue is that confessions are sacred.
"You are never, ever allowed to reveal anything that is said to you in confession, and if you do follow that (law), you are excommunicated from the Catholic church," said Father Ralph Besendorfer, from the Catholic Diocese.
Copyright 2003 by News4Jax.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Police said Staley's bishop did not follow a new statute that went into effect last June. The statue says that anyone, including church leaders, must report cases of child sexual abuse. This has raised many questions about confidentiality between religious leaders and their congregation.
The State Attorney's office said child abuse must be reported even if that breaks confidentiality.
"These privileges, including the privileges between a clergy and a church member, are not valid in the case of child abuse," Shauan Wright, from the State Attorney's Office, told Channel 4's Jennifer Waugh.
Channel 4 contacted the Mormon Church and officials there said they agree with following the laws in each state.
"For 20 years, our policy has been to follow the reporting law in each state. What's most important is to get immediate help for the suspect and the victim, including calling law enforcement," said Mike Otterson, a spokesman from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
A local Catholic priest had differing views. He said his interpretation of the state statue is that confessions are sacred.
"You are never, ever allowed to reveal anything that is said to you in confession, and if you do follow that (law), you are excommunicated from the Catholic church," said Father Ralph Besendorfer, from the Catholic Diocese.
Previous Stories:
- July 25, 2003: Orange Park Marine Arrested For Lewd Battery Of Children
Copyright 2003 by News4Jax.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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