Priests sharing confessions for help/ priestly growth

[Bix]

Can/ Do priests talk to other priests about confessions they hear?

Sort of like how one doctor might discuss a patient with another doctor for feedback or advice, but without using the person’s name? I can see how that might be helpful or necessary. I’m guessing that wouldn’t break the seal of confession.

Anyone know? If so, do they have a way to be more discreet with unusual circumstances?.

 

[ConstantineTG]

They can talk about certain sins and how to handle it. They can’t say, “this specific person committed this specific sin.” That would be breaking the seal. But if they say, “Father, what do I tell those who are struggling with pornography?” Then that is generic enough that no seal is broken.

 

[mab23]

They can talk about certain sins and how to handle it. They can’t say, “this specific person committed this specific sin.” That would be breaking the seal. But if they say, “Father, what do I tell those who are struggling with pornography?” Then that is generic enough that no seal is broken.

exactly this!

 

[Lancer]

They can talk about certain sins and how to handle it. They can’t say, “this specific person committed this specific sin.” That would be breaking the seal. But if they say, “Father, what do I tell those who are struggling with pornography?” Then that is generic enough that no seal is broken.

Your answer sounds logically okay…but I believe that it is subtlety…but significantly wrong.

Father still needs a penitents permission to ask/discuss any confession issue…without revealing the penitents name of course. A priest does not have the authority to discuss anything heard in confession in anyway…shape…or…fashion.

He may seek education and understanding of certain sins…but it can never be in relation to anything he has heard in the confessional…a subtle but monumental distinction as far as I understand.

One** priest on CA Radio**…said that (in homilies or teaching/education settings) he never discusses any specific sins and the confessional…never says or implies that he has heard anything in a confessional…almost as if he never hears confessions. The only time he mentions sins and using the sacrament of confession…is by reference to his own use of the sacrament and how much the sacrament has helped him. Here is the link…@42:00 into the broadcast…but the whole show is quite good…very good).
catholic.com/radio/shows/how-to-go-to-confession-encore-4350

This priest is Father Fredrick T. Miller S.T.D. who is the Chairman of the Department of Systematic Theology at Mount St. Mary’s Seminary in Emmitsburg, Maryland

Another link…priest and Canon Law on the Seal:

The Seal of the Confessional
FR. WILLIAM SAUNDERS

The sacramental seal is inviolable. Quoting Canon 983.1 of the Code of Canon Law, the Catechism states, "….It is a crime for a confessor in any way to betray a penitent by word or in any other manner or for any reason" (No. 2490). A priest, therefore, cannot break the seal to save his own life, to protect his good name, to refute a false accusation, to save the life of another, to aid the course of justice (like reporting a crime), or to avert a public calamity. He cannot be compelled by law to disclose a person’s confession or be bound by any oath he takes, e.g. as a witness in a court trial.** A priest cannot reveal the contents of a confession either directly, by repeating the substance of what has been said, or indirectly, by some sign, suggestion, or action. A Decree from the Holy Office (Nov. 18, 1682) mandated that confessors are forbidden, even where there would be no revelation direct or indirect, to make any use of the knowledge obtained in the confession that would “displease” the penitent or reveal his identity**.

However, a priest may ask the penitent for a release from the sacramental seal to discuss the confession with the person himself or others. For instance, if the penitent wants to discuss the subject matter of a previous confession — a particular sin, fault, temptation, circumstance — in a counseling session or in a conversation with the same priest, that priest will need the permission of the penitent to do so. For instance, especially with the advent of “face-to-face confession,” I have had individuals come up to me and say, “Father, remember that problem I spoke to you about in confession?” I have to say, “Please refresh my memory,” or “Do you give me permission to discuss this with you now?”
catholiceducation.org/articles/religion/re0059.html

I have heard several priest in homilies…make reference to predominate sins that they hear in confession…trying to make a very valid point…but violating canon Law. It is not the egregious violation of the Seal…but bishops and seminaries are paying much closer attention to these seemingly harmless…but clear “slippery slope” and dangerous violations.

For your consideration.
Pax Christi

 

[thewanderer]

Your answer sounds logically okay…but I believe that it is subtlety…but significantly wrong.

Father still needs a penitents permission to ask/discuss any confession issue…without revealing the penitents name of course. A priest does not have the authority to discuss anything heard in confession in anyway…shape…or…fashion.

He may seek education and understanding of certain sins…but it can never be in relation to anything he has heard in the confessional…a subtle but monumental distinction as far as I understand.

One** priest on CA Radio**…said that (in homilies or teaching/education settings) he never discusses any specific sins and the confessional…never says or implies that he has heard anything in a confessional…almost as if he never hears confessions. The only time he mentions sins and using the sacrament of confession…is by reference to his own use of the sacrament and how much the sacrament has helped him. Here is the link…@42:00 into the broadcast…but the whole show is quite good…very good).
catholic.com/radio/shows/how-to-go-to-confession-encore-4350

This priest is Father Fredrick T. Miller S.T.D. who is the Chairman of the Department of Systematic Theology at Mount St. Mary’s Seminary in Emmitsburg, Maryland

Another link…priest and Canon Law on the Seal:

I have heard several priest in homilies…make reference to predominate sins that they hear in confession…trying to make a very valid point…but violating canon Law. It is not the egregious violation of the Seal…but bishops and seminaries are paying much closer attention to these seemingly harmless…but clear “slippery slope” and dangerous violations.

For your consideration.
Pax Christi

I see your point… but I fail to see how asking, or being told, how to in general respond to a penitent who asks about a particular kind of sin is violating this in anyway. It would maybe be different if a priest said something like, “I heard x in confession one time and responded by saying z” although even that seems as though it could be general enough depending on the exact details, especially if it is a priest that is constantly moving around or giving retreats or something. But how can saying, “if someone confesses x, then z is a good way to respond” violate the seal of confession? There is no referance to a confession heard, either specifically or even generally… its advice on how to respond to future penitants that may or may not come and confess said sins…

 

[etmom]

My priest asked me specifically one time if I would be willing to waive the seal of the confessional for him to address something I had brought up in the confessional that was going horribly awry in the parish that he was previously unaware. If I had not agreed, he could not have addressed it or acted like he knew about it in any shape or form to ANYONE, and he wished to discuss it with the Bishop. He said he would have been unable to discuss it even with the Bishop without my consent, and it didn’t involve me at all. I told him it was ok with me, as long as he didn’t discuss my anger and hostility over the situation, which was the reason for my confession in the first place.

Since it didn’t involve me, he could have easily done so on his own without my consent, but it would have use knowledge obtained via the confessional, which he said was strictly forbidden (without my permission)