General Jill Hennessy agrees, stating abuse must always be reported

Newly introduced laws could see priests arrested if they fail to report instances of sexual abuse following private confessional chats.

The groundbreaking development would see Victorian priests potentially serve time behind bars if they ignore cases of sexual abuse revealed in confidence.

They have never previously been required to reveal confessions.

Current legislation requires police, teachers and doctors obligated to report instances of abuse. Priests would be added to the list of professions if the legal changes are accepted.

Priests could be arrested if they fail to report instances of sexual abuse following private confessional chats (stock image)

Dr Judy Courtin, who represents victims of institutional, sexual and other forms of abuse, told Nine News confessional should never be off limits to the law.

'It is a farce (if not reported), an absolute farce,' she said.

'If you refuse to abide by the laws, you must be accountable.'

The strong view of Dr Courtin was supported by Attorney General Jill Hennessy, who said 'if you don't report (abuse) you will be committing an offence.'

Back in 2004, Father Michael McArdle created an affidavit stating he had confessed up to 1500 times to molesting children to 30 different priests over a 25-year period in Queensland.

After being 'forgiven' in face-to-face confessions with his fellow priests, the paedophile was told to 'go home and pray for his sins.'

The depraved behaviour of Father Peter Searson was arguably worse.

Chats in a confessional booth that reveal instances of sexual abuse must now be reported by priests (stock image)

Based in Melbourne from the 1970s onwards, the notorious woman hater got children to touch his penis, made them kneel between his legs and frequently loitered around children's toilets.

He also reportedly audio-taped primary school students in the confessional box when their admissions became 'hot', according to news.com.au.

Aside from stealing thousands of dollars from the church, he molested young boys and girls at will, even telling one victim 'the Lord forgives you' moments after the act.

Father Searson died in 2009 before facing any child sex charges.

Cardinal George Pell was convicted in December of raping a choirboy and molesting another in the sacristy of St Patrick's Cathedral in Melbourne in 1996.