M V Tronson has had a long experience in various aspects of Baptist and inter-denominational ministry. He has ministered to Australian Cricket for 24 years, he has established 'Athlete Respite' facilities 'Basil Sellers Moruya' on the New South Wales south coast and 'Basil Sellers Tweed' on the far north coast. In 2000, he assisted in the development of the Olympic Villages Religious Services which have been used as models at every Host Olympic city since then, including Beijing. As a result of this vast experience, in 2005, he was voted as one of the 25 most influential evangelicals in Australia and published in the Australian New Life Christian newspaper.
"In my opinion, the Roman Catholic position can lead to further victimisation of the victims, while providing exoneration for the perpetrators", M V Tronson noted. "Whenever a decision needs to be made as to whom an 'authority figure' needs to protect, in my view, according to Biblical teachings, it is the victim who must be provided with succour."
Baptists historically have an emphasis on the theological doctrine of 'soul liberty'. In essence this refers to issues of conscience that in the reading of the Scriptures, the Holy Spirit of God will guide the believer in making decisions in good conscience.
"In doctrinal terms, this is an anathema to a Roman Catholic whose conscience can only be directed by the traditions and statutes of Rome. The result is often that there is an unmistakable preference to give the guilty penitence rather than the victim solace and therefore the opportunity for forgiveness broadens," M V Tronson explained.
Father Lucas stated recently to the Sydney Daily Telegraph's Michelle Gazzulino, "There are absolutely no exceptions - under no circumstances at all can a priest betray a penitent".
Gazzulino reported that Section 127 of the Evidence Act 1995 protects Catholic and Orthodox ministers, as well as some clergy in sections of the Anglican Church where formal religious confessions are heard: 'A person who is or was a member of the clergy of any church or religious denomination is entitled to refuse to divulge that a religious confession was made, or the contents of a religious confession made, to the person when a member of the clergy.'
M V Tronson noted, "The legislation provides options to the clergy, and some evangelical ministers will from time to time choose to withhold information that they have heard in confidence, but the words 'entitled to' in the legislation indicate that it is a matter for their conscience."
In every situation, M V Tronson explained, that whenever he had been faced with such conversations, he has made it gently yet abundantly clear that as a Baptist minister, he is at liberty to weigh up all other considerations and decide whether or not to divulge information to the secular authorities, according to his own conscience.
"In my experience, those who have committed crime and have come to me for a conversation find themselves so relieved that they have finally told "someone". Moreover, they have an inner unrelenting urge to come clean and face the consequences of their actions in good-faith, regardless of the shame. I have witnessed the ultimate weight being lifted off their soul, and have noted that by their own testimony they have found a far greater inner peace," reflected M V Tronson.