As I read the article in The Sunday Gleaner of November 22 about 'Sacred Secrets', where Monsignor Father Kenneth Richards explained the "code of silence" practised by the Roman Catholic Church, I cringed with disbelief.

Before I go any further, I would like to suggest that The Gleaner expands its investigations to include all denominational churches to see if this code of silence, and the refusal of leaders and heads of churches to divulge information obtained in counselling sessions, exist in terms of sharing pertinent information with law enforcement agencies and the courts when crimes are committed.

Withhold information

I would like to know if this applies to crimes which include murder, robbery, rape of adult women and young girls, and buggery of young boys; if these Roman Catholic or other church officials would withhold information or lie to the police and the court, using the code of "sacred secret silence" to justify their warped sense of duty and the interpretation of our "Holy Bible". I can recall reading in the Bible: "Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord."

In the United States of America you go to jail if, in the course of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, you lie. Remember Martha Stewart? Our Jamaica Constabulary Force could do or work wonders with a crime-fighting tool like this. Could these church officials not be charged and convicted for conspiracy? This same treatment should also be used in the case of police and other law enforcement persons who also have their "code of silence or squaddie mentality".

I am so disappointed. The question is: "Where do we go moving forward?"

I am, etc.,

REUBEN MILLER

reubenamiller@aol.com

Decatur, Georgia