Is there any actual known case of a priest breaking the Seal of Confession?

[DavidFilmer]

Is there any specific known (and verifiable) case where any priest actually broke the Seal of Confession?

I don’t mean where someone’s confession was overheard without the priest’s knowledge, etc. And I heard once of a priest who talked a little too much about the first confession he had ever heard (without naming names), but he didn’t realize this person had gone around and said, “Mine was the first confession that Father Soandso ever heard.” That’s careless and reprehensible (and, technically, broke the Seal), but it’s not what I mean.

I mean a priest who said, “John Doe told me this in the confessional: etc.” Even under torture, etc.

 

[Catholic_Dude]

The way I see it if they ever deliberately talked God would either strike them dead or at least mute.

Under torture? I dont know, the Holy Spirit might come to the rescue and speak for him?

 

[Magicsilence]

They could just make some stuff up, if the pain was too intense. Id hope that they would be close enough to God to remember not to be afraid of those who could damage the body, be afraid only of those that could damage the spirit.

 

[deb1]

DavidFilmer:

Is there any specific known (and verifiable) case where any priest actually broke the Seal of Confession?

I don’t mean where someone’s confession was overheard without the priest’s knowledge, etc. And I heard once of a priest who talked a little too much about the first confession he had ever heard (without naming names), but he didn’t realize this person had gone around and said, “Mine was the first confession that Father Soandso ever heard.” That’s careless and reprehensible (and, technically, broke the Seal), but it’s not what I mean.

I mean a priest who said, “John Doe told me this in the confessional: etc.” Even under torture, etc.

I was told in RCIA class that they would be excommunicated if they ever broke the seal of confession. DOes anyone else know if that is true?

 

[puzzleannie]

yes it is the most extreme offense a priest can commit, he is excommunicated and removed from practice of his priestly functions. while I never heard of a case of a priest who actually did, this there are numerous cases of priests tortured and even killed for refusing to reveal contents of a confession.

 

[Lorarose]

Is there any specific known (and verifiable) case where any priest actually broke the Seal of Confession?

I know of a case.
It was reported to the Bishop - who did nothing.

 

[Sarah_Jane]

Lorarose:

I know of a case.
It was reported to the Bishop - who did nothing.

It must be reported to the Holy See!

 

[JimG]

I have a hard time understanding why keeping the seal of confession is in any way remarkable. Most priests don’t remember what was confessed from one confession to the next. If you asked him ten minutes later what he heard in confession that day I doubt that he would be able to tell you even if he could.

The other thing is–if someone had something to confess that was so serious that they didn’t want the slightest possibility of any ‘leak’ to the secular authorities, surely they would go anonymously to a strange priest behind the screen, who wouldn’t even know their identity!

 

[aridite]

JimG:

I have a hard time understanding why keeping the seal of confession is in any way remarkable. Most priests don’t remember what was confessed from one confession to the next. If you asked him ten minutes later what he heard in confession that day I doubt that he would be able to tell you even if he could.

I have heard this reported by priests a number of times. Usually they say, and I believe, it is part of the grace of the Sacrament. I find great comfort in this when I have to see my priest outside of the confessional.

 

[MamaGeek]

I don’t know how true the story is, but during the trials of St. Joan of Arc, it is said that a corrupt priest was brought in to hear her confession and gain her confidence. He allowed her judges to “overhear” the confession through a hole in the wall, so that he would not be actually breaking the seal himself. It seems like a technicality that would make him just as guilty as if he’d told them her words himself.

This story is recounted in Personal Recollections of St. John of Arc by Mark Twain.

 

[mercygate]

aridite:

I have heard this reported by priests a number of times. Usually they say, and I believe, it is part of the grace of the Sacrament. I find great comfort in this when I have to see my priest outside of the confessional.

I made my general confession to a hermit Father when I came into the Church. I didn’t do it that way BECAUSE I thought I would never see him again, but that consolation DID cross my mind. I mean, that was SOME confession!

Turns out, I have returned to that place several times, and have come to be on somewhat close terms with that priest . . . The God-given absolute integrity of that confession rather seemed to catch his admiration . . . And the charism of humility to *make *that confession has remained as a gift to me.

Do not underestimate the power of the Holy Spirit. Do not underestimate the peace of perfect nakedness before God and his Church.

 

[MamaGeek]

Here is a great story about a priest that kept the seal in extraordinary circumstances.

 

[Timidity]

deb1:

I was told in RCIA class that they would be excommunicated if they ever broke the seal of confession.

Not just priests, but anyone who happens to hear a confession (such as a translator or someone who just happens to overhear the person in the confessional) can be excommunicated for violating the seal!

 

[Timidity]

The is (are at least was, I haven’t researched it in a while) a law in Texas that requires clergy to report any cases of sexual child abuse, even if the information was gained through confession.

To my knowledge, the law has never been tested. I am sure no priest would obey it.

 

[Sir_Knight]

My parents told me of a case in the old country that they were aware of.

 

[Grace_and_Glory]

There’s an Alfred Hitchcock movie, I Confess, that deals with a priest who has to choose between standing trial for murder and breaking the seal of the confessional. It’s a good movie.

 

[Windmill]

I read the story of the French Priest above. I don’t understand why he didn’t declare his innocence. That would not have involved any breaking of a seal of confessionn

It is still a good story, though.

Rich

 

[epower]

There was a priest who informed authorities in NYC about a gang murder that was told to him by the murderer. The murderer told him that the wrong man was in prison. When the murderer died the priest told the authorities that the wrong man was in jail for the crime.

The priest said that the seal of confession did not apply since the murderer told him about the dirty deed outside of the sacrament of confession.

 

[puzzleannie]

if you mean the Hitchcock movie, by protesting his innocence the priest would have directly implicated the man who confessed to him just before the priest’s arrest. Even to betray a confession by an action or omission breaks the seal.

Windmill:

I read the story of the French Priest above. I don’t understand why he didn’t declare his innocence. That would not have involved any breaking of a seal of confessionn

It is still a good story, though.

Rich

 

[RyanL]

I highly suspect a priest I confessed to in college of divulging some of the contents of my confession to a friend of mine. My sin was particularly bad, and affected my friend greatly (the way I acted, I’m not sure I should really refer to him as a friend…). All I know is that what happened was a secret, and two days later my friend had an anonymous note left on his desk revealing what had happened. The priest was the only one who knew.

I don’t hold it against the priest (who granted me absolution), but this is the only such instance I have ever encountered. In his defense, he was a very young priest. I’m sure he was doing what he thought God wanted him to do. May God forgive him if what I think happened actually happened.

RyanL