Breaking the Seal of Confession?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Francis_Pio
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
F

Francis_Pio

Guest
Earlier today, I met with my spiritual director. We were talking, and he asked if he could speak of a previous confession I had made to him. I said “sure”. So he mentioned what I had said, and used it to inform what we were talking about at the moment. Does this constitute breaking the seal of confession, seeing as he was only speaking to me, and with my permission?
 
Francis_Pio said:
Earlier today, I met with my spiritual director. We were talking, and he asked if he could speak of a previous confession I had made to him. I said “sure”. So he mentioned what I had said, and used it to inform what we were talking about at the moment. Does this constitute breaking the seal of confession, seeing as he was only speaking to me, and with my permission?
Click to expand...
In my view that is breaking the seal of confession. It cannot be done even if the penitent gives permission.
 
Francis_Pio said:
Earlier today, I met with my spiritual director. We were talking, and he asked if he could speak of a previous confession I had made to him. I said “sure”. So he mentioned what I had said, and used it to inform what we were talking about at the moment. Does this constitute breaking the seal of confession, seeing as he was only speaking to me, and with my permission?
Click to expand...
I don’t think so. It might have been better if he had said “Do you remember what you said or confessed three weeks ago?” Or something like that so that you mentioned it to him outside the confessional first.
 
I don’t know if it’s breaking the seal but it’s certainly coming close to the line.

I remember bringing something up with my spiritual director that I had confessed earlier and he said something like “oh, is that a problem for you?” I honestly didn’t know if he didn’t remember that I confessed it or if he was merely acting like he didn’t, but either way I decided it was a good thing. I don’t want him to be thinking about my confessions every time I see him.
 
I do not think it is breaking the seal because he asked you first. You could have said “No, I’d rather not.” and he would have had to leave it at that.

I once wanted to talk about something I said in confession and my confessor said “Remind me about it.” Then we spoke about it.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top