Canberra Catholic Archbishop Christopher Prowse has again urged the ACT government to include the church in organisations covered by its incoming reportable scheme, calling its omission an "anomaly".
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Under the laws coming into effect on Saturday, schools, childcare centres and health providers will be forced to report all child abuse allegations to the ACT Ombudsman.
However church organisations, scout groups, sporting clubs or dance schools are not covered by the legislation.
Archbishop Prowse wrote to ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr, Deputy Chief Minister Yvette Berry and Attorney-General Gordon Ramsay to call for the gap to swiftly be patched.
"As per the statement I made to the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse, my office has actively lobbied for the introduction of this scheme and congratulates the ACT government on the work they have done in this regard," the archbishop wrote.
"However while our schools, education and care service providers are covered under this scheme it is still an anomaly and a source of disappointment to me that the core of our churches, our parishes and carious communities of faith has been largely excluded form the scrutiny and support of the Ombudsman's office.
"I respectfully request that the reportable conduct and information sharing legislation amendment act 2016 be amended to include all religious organisations, ensuring that children of our parishes enjoy the same protections as those receiving education and welfare services."
Ms Berry said on Wednesday the most important aspect of the scheme was its consistency with NSW, which also has flaws within its scheme.
She said the scheme as it stands was a "start" and its implementation would be "carefully" monitored.
On Friday, Ms Berry said she welcomed the request from the archdiocese and the government was "continuing to explore ways to enhance our reportable conduct scheme"
The Archdiocese of Canberra and Goulburn has embarked on sweeping policy reforms after the placement of a disgraced priest next to two Canberra primary schools was exposed.
Archbishop Prowse told ABC Radio a damning review of his decision was "highly humiliating" for the archdiocese.
"People expected a lot more from the church and we have failed here," Archbishop Prowse said.
