Reading another's unopened mail

[James_Miller]

I can’t find this treated in all my studies. What is the Church’s position on opening and
reading another person’s private mail?

 

[Tietjen]

I can’t find this treated in all my studies. What is the Church’s position on opening and
reading another person’s private mail?

I don’t know that the position of this specific situation has been addressed, but I believe that given the circumstances surrounding the act it certainly could be viewed as a venial sin if not a mortal one.

 

[purplesunshine]

In america its illegal. And if in America its illegal there’s a good chance it has moral implications. The level of morality would depend on the circumstances…a parent opening a childs mail, for instance, would be less of a sin than business associate opening the partners personal mail.

However, at work mail is sometimes misdirected and I accidentally open confidental documents. That isnt a sin at all…especally since I try to minimize my exposure once I realize the document is not mine.

 

[Edmundus1581]

In my year in CAF this has come up a couple of times. I’ll just repeat the answer I gave on the previous occassions.

I recall reading in a fairly authorative book, with imprimatur, that, in general, it is a sin to open other people’s mail. An exception was granted in the case of a wife opening mail to her husband from a woman whom she suspects of attempting to steal his affection.

I have been unable to locate the book I read this in, but I am quite sure my memory is correct.

Apply it to modern day technology and relationships as you will.

 

[silicasandra]

In my year in CAF this has come up a couple of times. I’ll just repeat the answer I gave on the previous occassions.

I recall reading in a fairly authorative book, with imprimatur, that, in general, it is a sin to open other people’s mail. An exception was granted in the case of a wife opening mail to her husband from a woman whom she suspects of attempting to steal his affection.

I have been unable to locate the book I read this in, but I am quite sure my memory is correct.

Apply it to modern day technology and relationships as you will.

Hm. I open my husband’s mail all of the time. Mostly because if I don’t do it then it will never be read. But only business-related letters, bank statements, things like that - since they usually affect both of us even if they are only addressed to him. I don’t open cards or letters that are obviously personal, though.

 

[nodito]

Hm. I open my husband’s mail all of the time. Mostly because if I don’t do it then it will never be read. But only business-related letters, bank statements, things like that - since they usually affect both of us even if they are only addressed to him. I don’t open cards or letters that are obviously personal, though.

This. I think it’s contextual. I stay at home and manage the house. When my husband gets credit card offers, I just toss them. I open donation requests addressed to him because I generally am the one to handle the charity budget. I would never open a letter addressed to him by his parents or grandmother or a friend, though.

In sum, I think it can be perfectly fine to open some types of mail addressed to others, especially if it’s understood that this will happen. I think it can be sinful to open other types of mail. And I think it can be mortally sinful under certain circumstances as well.

 

[Corpus_Cristi]

Would it help if I told you that it’s a class B misdemeanor?

 

[Elizabeth502]

Eavesdropping is a sin.
Therefore, opening mail of a personal nature (without permission from the addressee) is a sin, unless there is overriding moral justification. (Such as a parent needing to protect a child.)