Seal of Confession - Part II

[Kielbasi]

it still stank to heaven that the state bugged a confession on purpose.

If they knew it was going to be a sacramental confession, it sure would have been.

But jails are bugged and the officials do try to get the inmates to spill the beans to their friends and relatives who are visiting, jail employees, other inmates, employees posing as inmates, whoever, and to get it on tape.

All of those confessions, to friends and confederates, are perfectly admissable and aren’t covered by the Seal of Confession or prison confidentiality policies. The only conversations an inmate can expect won’t be taped are to his religious advisor (inc. priests) or to his lawyer.

 

[demolitionman65]

All of those confessions, to friends and confederates, are perfectly admissable and aren’t covered by the Seal of Confession or prison confidentiality policies. The only conversations an inmate can expect won’t be taped are to his religious advisor (inc. priests) or to his lawyer.

Certainly. I should have said “Confession” to emphasize the sacrament.

 

[Kielbasi]

Certainly. I should have said “Confession” to emphasize the sacrament.

I would hope that priests hearing confessions in jails would be properly vested for the sacrament, and that penitents would adopt the proper posture (kneeling) when confessing. Of course, it doesn’t make a difference as to the validity of the sacrament.

But it would be a huge clue to the eavesdroppers who are always present in jail to take a powder, and enable them to discern between Confession and confession.

 

[mpav]

A friend had free tickets to a movie preview (said it was awful, and may never see a real theatrical release, thank God).
The worst part from her perspective was that the priest in the movie just for a lark, would tell his three brothers who said what in Confession! Just casual, everyday, “Mrs. So-and so, Mr. What’s his name,” all people that they all knew.
Yet the point of the movie seemed to be that the Irish-American priest was flawed because couldn’t accept his gay brother’s behavior.
The movie couldn’t have been more backward, from how I heard it.
I don’t know whether any Catholics had any part in the production, but I’m glad it was awful.

 

[MariaG]

posted by gelsbern

Ahh I love when people add on, I made a statement regarding a single subject, I did not give my opinion on the other subjects you bring up, but now I will. To me, the rape of a woman has already been committed, the murder of a person is done, the victim is dead, however, telling state authorities is not going to save someone from something that has already happened, however, since it’s a child and they cannot protect themselves they need to be reported for the protection of future crimes against the child. Also in my opinion, a rapist or murderer should be turned in as well. Absolution in the church does not equal absolution in society.

Add on? I realize you made a statement about child abuse. I was asking why child abuse was different than other criminal sins.

You’ve now answered. You do not seem to agree with the seal of Confession for some criminal, mortal sins. I completely disagree.

Knowing that no matter what the priest keeps the seal of confession is absolutely vital for people to bare their souls and be honest with God.

 

[turboEDvo]

4 marks:

Another reason to take your sins directly to God in prayer with perfect contrition for them, and not to confession these days. You can’t be sure that the priest is going to keep them a secret. I mean…if a priest leaves the priesthood, how can you be certain that he won’t tell your sins to somebody? What is the worst that can happen to him? He would already be excommunicated.

I have heard a couple of priests talk about certain people who came to them in confession without naming names, but sharing what they confessed. I had a pretty good idea who the actual people may have been. I think a priest is a fallible human being. Only God is truly trustworthy.

Hopefully, we’ll all receive last rites just before we die and none of this will even be an issue.

Interesting approach. I would not exactly follow the whole personal confession bit, seeing as that is not how the Sacrament of Reconciliation works, but that is me. If the priest wants to yack about people’s sins, then he has got God to deal with when he is dead. So, the worst that could happen is eternal damnation. As for the priest telling about sins, I think that is wrong, he is setting a horrible example. But, I also do not think that you can use that reasoning to make the claim that we must mistrust all priests. And, I would say that it is a pretty shallow and sorry faith to say “Oh, sin while you’re alive, and get the Last Rites, then you’ll be good.” Way to honor your God! Yeah, party on

Eamon

 

[MariaG]

posted by 4 Marks

Another reason to take your sins directly to God in prayer with perfect contrition for them, and not to confession these days. You can’t be sure that the priest is going to keep them a secret. I mean…if a priest leaves the priesthood, how can you be certain that he won’t tell your sins to somebody? What is the worst that can happen to him? He would already be excommunicated.

Part of perfect contrition for a Catholic Christian is the intention to go to the confessional as soon as possible. It would be imperfect contrition if you confessed your sins in your bedroom without the intention of going to the Sacrament of Reconcilliation where you will confess your sins directly to God in front of a priest as Christ directed us to.