Seal of Confession Specific Question

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Agalle

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Okay, so I know if anyone hears anything in confession they are meant to be under the seal of confession as well. But here’s a particular instance that I was wondering about.

At my school, they host this retreat that me and my friend volunteer for. During that retreat they confession in this big dark open room with several priests at once (music playing in the background so people can’t hear each other). Once, we were confession guiders, and of course, if we ever heard anything (we didn’t) we would be under the seal. However, my friend told me she saw a girl crying when doing her confession. I wasn’t surprised since I was pretty certain a lot of people go for their first time in a while at this retreat. I had no idea who the girl was though, she left all details out except girl and so many people came through no way I would know.

Months later I was talking with my mother about people crying and confession and she was saying how she always hopes it’s in relief. And thats when I used the retreat as an example and said that my friend had seen someone crying and how I thought it happened often cause it had been a while for people and it made me happy to see them going and how I too hoped it was in relief.

Thats not breaking the seal right? Because I didn’t know who she was? And no details were given even if I had known?

Side note, if you are willing to share, have you ever cried in relief in confession. I haven’t full-on cried but my voice has gotten shakey.
 
I don’t believe that you broke the seal of confession.
Periodicly I have heard priests give examples of what was said and how in order to explain what is or is not a good confession. One thing I noticed in my professional life in an unrelated way and the other thing I have used as an example in teaching the catechism.
 
I know someone who, while on a rather small, intimate retreat, were all gathered in the chapel for confessions, when uproarious laughter 🤣 erupted from the confessional.

And I only know because both confessor and penitent assured everyone that the laughter was not sealed. (Though to this day no one other than those two know what the laughter was about)
 
Direct violation of the seal means you revealed what sins a person committed.

Indirect violation of the seal means you revealed enough information that someone could connect the penitent to his sins.

Saying that people cry in confession is hardly doing either of those things.

Given your posting history you seem to suffer from scrupulosity. You should speak to your priest about this and not ask these sorts of questions online.

You are in my prayers.

-Fr ACEGC
 
Thank you for praying for me. I will absolutely work harder to get my scrupulosity under control. I’ve gone to spiritual direction once before for it and have continued to ask questions in confession.

Also, thank you for your detailed response on violations. I had no idea there was indirect and direct violations.
 
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