If a Priest breaks the Seal of Confession, what happens?

  • Thread starter Thread starter theCardinalbird
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
T

theCardinalbird

Guest
What happens? Did he commit sin? Is he automatically removed from his priestly duties?
 
Yes, it is sinful. Gravely so. The penalty is excommunication.
 
Yes, it is sinful. Gravely so. The penalty is excommunication.
What ever happened in Australia with this? I thought that by October it would be decided if priests would be forced to break the Seal. I also don’t know what the priests decided. They said they could never break the Seal, but then the rest of their quotes sounded the opposite.
 
It’s a reserved sin - which means that it gets referred to the Congregation for the Doctrine of Faith in Rome for both absolution and lifting the automatic penalty of excommunication. Unsurprisingly, the CDF tend to take it quite seriously. On the first occasion, if it was accidental / negligent, then the priest could expect to receive a significant penance. His bishop (and/or religious superior) may also decide to suspend his ability to hear confessions for a period, or put conditions on it. If it was a deliberate breach, or happened a second time,he could expect to be dismissed from the clerical state.

As far as Australia is concerned, iirc the law hasn’t come into effect yet although a priest friend of mine there tells me that his diocese is moving to screens for all confessions proably as a way of dealing with the law.
 
Last edited:
What ever happened in Australia with this? I thought that by October it would be decided if priests would be forced to break the Seal. I also don’t know what the priests decided. They said they could never break the Seal, but then the rest of their quotes sounded the opposite.
It does not matter what the laws are in any country priests are not permitted to break the Seal. They would be automatically excommunicated.
 
Last edited:
Any other punishment would be up to the Bishop.
I guess apart from excommunication the next worst step would be defrocking but I think only the Pope can do that.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top