Comments on: Can A Catholic Priest Break The Seal Of Confession In Order To Prevent A Heinous Crime From Occurring?

By: imacatho

imacatho — Sun, 03 May 2009 03:15:37 +0000

No.
A priest cannot repeat anything told him as part of a confession.
But Confession and Reconciliation happen after the sin is committed, not before.
The Code of Canon Law states: The sacramental seal is inviolable; therefore it is absolutely forbidden for a confessor to betray in any way a penitent in words or in any manner and for any reason.
Violation of the seal of confession results in immediate excommunication of the priest.
Priests may discuss things in general terms. One priest said that hearing the confessions of second graders is like getting bombarded with cotton balls.
For more information, see the Code of Canon Law: http://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG1104/__...
Here is a recent example, “Federal law protects seal of confession”: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1G1-1920...
With love in Christ.

By: Does Heaven Have a Sportsbook?

Does Heaven Have a Sportsbook? — Sun, 03 May 2009 03:15:37 +0000

Absolutely not. From Wikipedia:
Priests may not reveal what they have learned during confession to anyone, even under the threat of their own death or that of others. For a priest to break confidentiality would lead to a latae sententiae (automatic) excommunication, the lifting of which is reserved to the Holy See—in fact, to the Pope himself (Code of Canon Law, 1388 §1). It is presumed such a breach could be forgiven only with the lifting of the authority of that priest to ever hear confessions again, and a requirement that the priest undertake an extended period of penance, perhaps in a monastery. In the Early Modern period, some casuists (Thomas Sanchez, etc.) justified mental reservation as a form of deception which does not involves outright lying, in specific circumstances such as the seal of the confessional.
“In a criminal matter, a priest may encourage or require the penitent to surrender to authorities and may withhold absolution if the penitent refuses to do so. However, this is the extent of the leverage they wield. They may not directly or indirectly disclose the matter to civil authorities themselves (see priest-penitent privilege).”

By: smegmaki

smegmaki — Sun, 03 May 2009 03:15:37 +0000

No.
The sacramental seal is inviolable. Quoting Canon 983.1 of the Code of Canon Law, the Catechism states, “…It is a crime for a confessor in any way to betray a penitent by word or in any other manner or for any reason” (No. 2490). A priest, therefore, cannot break the seal to save his own life, to protect his good name, to refute a false accusation, to save the life of another, to aid the course of justice (like reporting a crime), or to avert a public calamity. He cannot be compelled by law to disclose a person’s confession or be bound by any oath he takes, e.g. as a witness in a court trial. A priest cannot reveal the contents of a confession either directly, by repeating the substance of what has been said, or indirectly, by some sign, suggestion, or action. A Decree from the Holy Office (Nov. 18, 1682) mandated that confessors are forbidden, even where there would be no revelation direct or indirect, to make any use of the knowledge obtained in the confession that would “displease” the penitent or reveal his identity.

By: no fixed address

no fixed address — Sun, 03 May 2009 03:15:37 +0000

There is no absolution if the person is not repentant, even in such an extreme case. The penance would be to turn oneself in to the authorities. You cannot confess a future sin. Nor can one presume forgiveness for a sin not yet committed, that’s why it’s called the sin of presumption.
In the case of murder, the priest cannot break the seal of the confessional, he would have to die first. He can, however, report the incident to his bishop, which is pointless because many penitents confess in anonymity. That means the priest doesn’t see them, so even if the priest could break the seal, it would be pointless and useless to law enforcement agencies.
Most societies respect the priests seal due to the overall benefits of the confessional. We all need to be forgiven, and confessing directly to God is good, but hearing forgiveness from a representative of Christ is better.
James 5:16 - James clearly teaches us that we must “confess our sins to one another,” not just privately to God. James 5:16 must be read in the context of James 5:14-15, which is referring to the healing power (both physical and spiritual) of the priests of the Church. Hence, when James says “therefore” in verse 16, he must be referring to the men he was writing about in verses 14 and 15 – these men are the ordained priests of the Church, to whom we must confess our sins.

By: ♥allecat♥ †EWTN†

♥allecat♥ †EWTN† — Sun, 03 May 2009 03:15:37 +0000

Canon Law 983 §1. The sacramental seal is inviolable; therefore it is absolutely forbidden for a confessor to betray in any way a penitent in words or in any manner and for any reason.

By: Apostolic Nuncio

Apostolic Nuncio — Sun, 03 May 2009 03:15:37 +0000

If you would like more answers, consider asking around this site as well…http://christianforums.com/forumdisplay….

By: Who's Your Daddy Now

Who's Your Daddy Now — Sun, 03 May 2009 03:15:37 +0000

If a person professes that he will sin in the future and wants absolution beforehand he is not truly contrite and there is no “seal”.

By: scotgirl

scotgirl — Sun, 03 May 2009 03:15:37 +0000

No they cannot.
They do not have the duty to warn, like a counselor does.

By: Joey B

Joey B — Sun, 03 May 2009 03:15:37 +0000

No, they cannot.

By: Coup De Grâce

Coup De Grâce — Sun, 03 May 2009 03:15:37 +0000

No. I do not believe they would either.