Privacy move a holy mess
Sean Parnell, national political reporter
31jan02
The Courier Mail
PRIESTS are being advised to seek the consent of anyone they want congregations to pray for, or risk breaching the Howard Government's privacy legislation.
Since the legislation was introduced in December, most denominations have been forced to seek professional advice and direct changes to the way priests deal with their congregations.
Some churches have even advised priests to seek permission before they publicly pray for those parishioners believed to need God's help.
"When I was a minister in a congregation I was always sensitive to whether people wanted their condition or illness known," said Uniting Church national secretary Reverend Terence Corkin.
"I would always ask if they minded us praying for them. But if a minister is only aware of that information because they intend to visit the person in hospital, then this legislation should reinforce the need to be careful about sharing it with others."
Mr Corkin said churches could no longer assume parents of enrollees in Sunday school would want information on the church, nor that donors to one church activity could be approached to donate to another church activity.
The Catholic Church in Queensland has sent all parishes guidelines on the implications of the legislation and the Anglican Church is preparing similar advice.
A Catholic Church spokeswoman said yesterday its interpretation showed the legislation impacted most on the sacraments received by members of the church.
Under the new legislation, any requests for baptism, first communion or confirmation certificates must now go through a formal process.
An Anglican Church spokeswoman said she did not believe the legislation would have a great effect on church services but parishes would be reminded of the sensitive nature of material they have acquired, particularly on parish rolls.
Privacy Commissioner Malcolm Crompton could not be contacted for comment.