Can a priest make you admit to sin outside the confessional?

[provolon15]

I know from my teaching growing up that a priest can require you to turn yourself in as part of your penance for commiting murder. What I’d like to know is if the priest can require you to tell a spouse that you were unfaithful as part of your penance.

 

[Michelle_Arnold]

The catechesis you received as a child was incorrect. A priest cannot require a penitent to admit to others a sin he confesses as a condition of absolution, whether the sin be murder, adultery, cheating on a test, or anything else. To do so would be a violation of the seal of the confessional. A priest can encourage confession of crimes or sins against other people, but he cannot condition absolution upon the penitent doing so.