Do priests compare notes on confessions?

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If a priest protects the identity of penitents, is he allowed to exchange stories with other priests, sort of like doctors or nurses would about interesting medical cases?

For instance, let’s say he is new to the priesthood and he encounters a touchy situation in the confessional and wants advise from an experienced priest. As another example, let’s say there is a humorous situation that he would like to share, without revealing identifying information.

Is this allowed?
 
I’m pretty sure no it’s not allowed. A priest might be allowed to ask for advice in how to advise someone spiritually in general, but not the specifics of a confession or a confession ‘story’.
 
No he cannot. He has been trained to not even acknowledge a person has been to confession. He has also been trained how to find information to his problem without ever mentioning it is about a confession.
 
No, this falls under the “Seal of the Confessional”

If the priest has a touchy subject come up in the confessional, there are round-about ways to find out how to deal with them (and I bet they get some “formal training” in the area as well).
 
When your doctor consults with you, it is actually him doing it, and only him. However, when your priest acts as your confessor, he is doing so “in persona Christi” - since it is Christ who absolves you of sin, it is Christ’s secret to discuss with colleagues, and Christ’s alone. This can be found in Canon 1388 and Canon 983 - if a confessor, or the translator between you and your confessor should one be needed, divulge the sacramental secret, they can be excommunicated for it, even if that divulgence is done indirectly (if a person in conversation with a priest can correctly guess the confession of an individual based on the contents of a conversation).

Hope that helps,
 
A priest who violates the seal of confession, no matter what the reason, is subject to latae sentie (by the very act) excommunication.

The confessional is not a therapist’s office. It is for spiritual healing. Revealing anything that is ever said, even acknowledging that a person made a confession violates the seal of confession. A priest may not discuss a confession with the penitent, even during a later confession!
 
rpp said:
A priest who violates the seal of confession, no matter what the reason, is subject to latae sentie (by the very act) excommunication.

The confessional is not a therapist’s office. It is for spiritual healing. Revealing anything that is ever said, even acknowledging that a person made a confession violates the seal of confession. A priest may not discuss a confession with the penitent, even during a later confession!
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I’ll shoot this one out. What about a priest who expounds upon the penance he gave you in the last confession?
 
ComputerGeek25 said:
I’ll shoot this one out. What about a priest who expounds upon the penance he gave you in the last confession?
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That is an excellent question. I do not know the answer. I suppose as long as what was confessed is not discussed it may be okay. 🤷

I do remember on one occasion shortly after my conversion, I came up to a priest who was have a conversation with another priest. I thanked him for a particularly beneficial penance he had given me in confession (I made no hint as to what I confessed). Both priests became visibly shaken; they immediately froze and were speechless; their mouth hanging open, eyes like dinner plates. Their reaction was such that I did not even finish my sentence. Sometime later, one of the priests privately (but not in the confessional) explained to me basically what I posted here previously.
 
rpp said:
That is an excellent question. I do not know the answer. I suppose as long as what was confessed is not discussed it may be okay. 🤷

I do remember on one occasion shortly after my conversion, I came up to a priest who was have a conversation with another priest. I thanked him for a particularly beneficial penance he had given me in confession (I made no hint as to what I confessed). Both priests became visibly shaken; they immediately froze and were speechless; their mouth hanging open, eyes like dinner plates. Their reaction was such that I did not even finish my sentence. Sometime later, one of the priests privately (but not in the confessional) explained to me basically what I posted here previously.
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Well, I did have an experience like that, and let’s just say he said some other things that were questionable, but I could be making mountains out of mole hills.

However, that said, I have to say most priests I’ve confessed to on a regular basis don’t go anywhere near the seal like that. Better safe than sorry.
 
jrnami said:
If a priest protects the identity of penitents, is he allowed to exchange stories with other priests, sort of like doctors or nurses would about interesting medical cases?

For instance, let’s say he is new to the priesthood and he encounters a touchy situation in the confessional and wants advise from an experienced priest. As another example, let’s say there is a humorous situation that he would like to share, without revealing identifying information.

Is this allowed?
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Priests can discuss moral theology with other priests and even others. Just not in the context of Confession.
 
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