May I tell family members who I saw at confession?

[Cat_Herder]

I am trying to encourage certain family members to go to confession. After going to confession myself I was asked by them about the experience and mentioned to them that I had seen certain friends of mine going to confession, in order to make the case that this sacrament is for everyone. I am now questioning whether I should have identified the penitents. Even if it is not a sin to do so, is it a good practice not to share this information? Thank you.

 

[Michelle_Arnold]

So far as I know, there is no sin in mentioning who you saw in line for confession, but doing so is not a practice I can recommend. Imagine how you would feel if these friends were reporting to their families, or to others you do not know, that they had seen you in line for confession. At the very least, it offers the temptation to speculate about what others are confessing. At worst, it can be a violation of privacy.