Sometimes a beneficial penitent desires to discuss the subject matter out-of good past confession– a specific sin, fault, temptation, circumstance– when you look at the a counseling lesson or even in a discussion with the same priest. Such as for instance, particularly toward advent of “face-to-deal with confession,” I’ve had anyone arise if you ask me and you may say, “Dad, just remember that , problem I spoke for your requirements in the in the confession?” I need to state, “Delight revitalize my memories.”
The guy knows that in the confessional, the fresh new penitent speaks not so much to him, but because of your to your Lord
Brand new Catechism (#1467) alludes to the newest Password out-of Cannon Law (#1388.1) for the addressing this dilemma, and that claims, “A confessor who truly violates this new secure away from confession runs into a keen automated excommunication reserved on the Apostolic Discover; in the event the the guy does very only indirectly, they are getting punished within the agreement on the severity regarding new offense.” From the severity 
of abuse, we are able to obviously find out how sacred the fresh sacramental seal regarding confession is in the vision of Chapel.
Indeed, brand new Church’s standing in this amount has much time-reputation credibility. Brand new Fourth Lateran Council (1215) lead among the first total teachings concerning Sacrament regarding Penance. Addressing various issues between violations to heretical stands contrary to the sacrament, the council defended the new sacrament itself, specified the necessity for the new yearly sacramental confession away from sins and you may reception of the Holy Eucharist, and you can enforced disciplinary methods upon priest confessors. This new council decreed, “Allow confessor just take sheer care and attention never to betray this new sinner through term or signal, or even in some other method after all. However, if he means expert advice he may find it in place of, not, at all appearing anyone. For we decree which he who presumes to disclose a good sin which has been manifested so you’re able to your about tribunal of penance is not just to be deposed in the priestly office, but also getting consigned so you can a shut monastery to own perpetual penance.”
A gorgeous story (maybe decorated in the long run) and this captures the reality of this point ‘s the longevity of St. John Nepomucene (1340-93), new vicar general for the Archbishop off Prague. Queen Wenceslaus IV, called a horrible, child exactly who without difficulty succumbed so you’re able to outrage and you may caprice, is very suspicious regarding his girlfriend, the latest King. St. John had been the newest Queen’s confessor. Whilst the king themselves are unfaithful, he turned even more jealous and you will suspicious from their wife, who had been irreproachable in her run. Even though Wencelaus punished St. John to make him to disclose the fresh new Queen’s confessions, however not. In the end, St. John try thrown towards the Lake Moldau and you may drowned with the February 20, 1393.
Valuing the brand new close off confession, the fresh new priest would need to inquire the latest penitent in order to refresh his memory, so as to revisit the brand new specifics again beyond confession
Per priest knows that he’s the fresh ordained intermediary out-of a most sacred and precious sacrament. Therefore, humbled by the their position, this new priest understands that any sort of is considered in confession have to will still be miracle at all costs.
Other interesting front to this real question is the duty of your laity to help you support the seal of confession: An interpreter you’ll need for someone to create a confession or anybody just who increases experience in a confession (such as for example overhearing a person’s confession) is even obligated to preserve privacy (Code out of Canon Legislation, #983.2). To own such as for instance a person to violate the newest secrecy of some other man or woman’s confession is a mortal sin and you will warrants “a sole punishment, maybe not excluding excommunication” (#1388.2). Furthermore, a person who wrongly accuses a good priest regarding breaking the seal of confession runs into a good mortal sin and maybe almost every other canonical punishment, and additionally excommunication.