Seal of Confession

[Dave]

Perhaps a dumb question, but here goes anyway.

I know a priest is sworn to secrecy with anything told to them in the confessional. Is the person confessing their sins bound by this as well? In other words, is it ok to discuss your confession with others after you’ve received your absolution?

 

[Other_Eric]

Perhaps a dumb question, but here goes anyway.

I know a priest is sworn to secrecy with anything told to them in the confessional. Is the person confessing their sins bound by this as well? In other words, is it ok to discuss your confession with others after you’ve received your absolution?

The individual making his or her confession is not bound by the confessional seal. How could he be? Since the priest is also prohibited from acting upon information he has received in the confessional, this standard, when applied to the sinner, ceases to make sense.

 

[Leopard]

In addition, any third party who may have heard any sacramental confession or attempted sacramental confession, or any part thereof, is also bound by the seal of confession.

 

[PhilipCal]

There is no prohibition concerning you discussing your Confession with another person. As noted, should you over hear the Confession of another, you are bound by the same Seal of the Confessional as is the Priest.