Catholic priests could be ordered to report crimes revealed to them in private confessions, under radical new proposals to be considered by a Victorian parliamentary inquiry.

The suggestion is part of a number of submissions to be considered by the inquiry into the handling of child abuse by religious groups.

But Jesuit and human rights lawyer Father Frank Brennan says priests can never reveal secrets of the confessional, and he would rather go to jail than violate the trust of those who come to confession.

The Victorian Family and Community Development Committee has released a submission guide on its Inquiry into the Handling of Child Abuse by Religious and Other Organisations.

The guide raises the prospect of extending mandatory reporting of suspected child abuse to include confessional, asking: "To what extent should the reporting of suspicions of abuse be circumscribed by laws, customs and ethical codes of religions?".

But Father Brennan says while priests in general should pass on abuse allegations, this does not apply to anything revealed during a confession.

"I'd have to say as a priest if I was told something strictly under the seal of the confessional, I would not reveal it, but I would readily concede if it were not under the strict seal of the confessional, then the same rule should apply to me as to any other citizen," he said.

Father Brennan told the ABC's 7.30 program he would rather go to jail than reveal anything said in a private confession.

"In confession I think that's quite a simple case. No matter what was confessed to me in confession I am not at liberty to disclose that to anybody," he said.

"And yes, as a priest, I would agree to going to jail rather than to disclose what was revealed to me in confession."

Independent inquiry

Fr Brennan made the comments while discussing the decision by the Catholic Church to launch an independent inquiry into the way child abuse allegations were dealt with in two New South Wales Catholic dioceses.

The inquiry, to be headed up by former Federal Court judge Antony Whitlam QC, will investigation allegations revolving around a New South Wales priest, Father F, who allegedly abused a number of altar boys in the 1980s.

Four Corners recently revealed the accused priest made admissions to three senior priests about his actions, but they never referred the matter to police.

In a joint statement, the Bishop of Armidale Michael Kennedy and the Bishop of Parramatta Anthony Fisher yesterday said the inquiry would look at the processes around Father F.

The statement says the inquiry does not replace any investigations being done by police or other authorities.

Fr Brennan says he is hopeful the inquiry will address the issue of when priests should pass on information.

"Well presumably Tony Whitlam will show up where there's room in terms of discovering the facts of what's gone on with these unfortunate cases. I think one of the uncertain areas is particularly the area of: when do you report things to police," he said.

Father Kevin Burke, the parish priest for Our Lady Help of Christians in Eltham, has told ABC Breakfast anonymity is necessary to encourage people to confess their sins.

"I think the law says we wouldn't do anything to identify the person or the sin so that people feel safe or confident in approaching us... that whatever they say, it will stay within the sacredness of that sacrament."

And he says it is likely that most priests, including himself, would ignore any directives to pass on the information.

"I suppose it's up to them to look at all possible options, but I don't think that would be feasible," he said.

"I think every Catholic priest would treat that matter as sacred and sacrosanct and wouldn't go along with any direction to reveal it."

Victorian Premier Ted Baillieu agrees confessions should remain confidential and says a recent inquiry into child protection has already dismissed the idea.

"The Cummins Report addressed this issue. And Phillip Cummins, Dorothy Scott and Bill Scales all concluded that the sanctity of the confessional should remain," he said.

"I think that's a powerful argument but the parliamentary inquiry will no doubt have an opportunity to look at this issue as well."

