What do I do when a child eavesdrops on my son's Confession?

[JHutch]

My son’s 6th grade class had a reconciliation service at school. A classmate eavesdropped on my son’s confession then told several classmates what was heard. My son found out who listened in and confronted the person. The response was “you talk too loud.” My son informed the child that it was probably a sin to repeat what was heard the response to that was, “so what.”

I have counselled my son and reassured him that whatever he confessed has been forgiven and that it is cruel and unfortunate that details were discussed outside the confidence of the confessional. I am contacting the principal and pastor to report the incident so that they might educate the children as to the seriousness of the matter and take steps to prevent this from happening in the future. I think I should also contact the other childs parents to have them talk to their child. Is there anything I am missing?

 

[Fr.Vincent_Serpa]

Hi,

It sounds like you have touched all the bases. And yes, it is a mortal sin to eavesdrop on another’s Confession and then to devulge what one has heard to others.

Fr. Vincent Serpa, O.P.