When does a priest have the obligation to contact authorities?

[ErichsGurl2]

I’m not really sure if this question goes here, so feel free to have it moved if you like .

So…I know that priests have an obligation to keep a person’s confession between themselves and God, but when is a priest obligated to call the police or contact certain authorities if someone confesses something gravely wrong?

For example, if a person committed murder but hadn’t been caught, and confessed, would the priest have an obligation to contact the police? Or call Child Services if someone admitted to abusing their children? Or the ASPCA if they were abusing an animal?
-OR-
Do they have to keep absolutely everything to themselves so that people will not be afraid to go to confession? Answers please?

 

[ElizabethPH]

I’m not really sure if this question goes here, so feel free to have it moved if you like .

So…I know that priests have an obligation to keep a person’s confession between themselves and God, but when is a priest obligated to call the police or contact certain authorities if someone confesses something gravely wrong?

For example, if a person committed murder but hadn’t been caught, and confessed, would the priest have an obligation to contact the police? Or call Child Services if someone admitted to abusing their children? Or the ASPCA if they were abusing an animal?
-OR-
Do they have to keep absolutely everything to themselves so that people will not be afraid to go to confession? Answers please?

CCC
1467
"Given the delicacy and greatness of this ministry and the respect due to persons, the Church declares that every priest who hears confessions is bound under very severe penalties to keep absolute secrecy regarding the sins that his penitents have confessed to him. He can make no use of knowledge that confession gives him about penitents’ lives. This secret, which admits of no exceptions, is called the ‘sacramental seal’, because what the penitent has made known to the priest remains “sealed” by the sacrament.

 

[1ke]

No, the priest may not reveal any element of the confession:

Can. 983 §1. The sacramental seal is inviolable; therefore it is absolutely forbidden for a confessor to betray in any way a penitent in words or in any manner and for any reason.

Can. 1388 §1. A confessor who directly violates the sacramental seal incurs a latae sententiae excommunication reserved to the Apostolic See; one who does so only indirectly is to be punished according to the gravity of the delict.

 

[ErichsGurl2]

Thanks for answering my question…that’s great…I was pretty sure that they could not reveal any part of any confession, but I wasn’t sure.

Okay…what about military chaplains? Are they bound by the same rules?

 

[1ke]

Thanks for answering my question…that’s great…I was pretty sure that they could not reveal any part of any confession, but I wasn’t sure.

Okay…what about military chaplains? Are they bound by the same rules?

All Catholic priests are bound by the seal of the Sacrament. A Catholic priest who is also a military chaplain is no different from any other priest.

There are military chaplains who are not Catholic priests, and they would be bound by the rules and obligations of their own denomination, if their denomination has any rules on the matter. Otherwise, they are bound by whatever their state law is on the clergy/penitent relationship.

 

[ThuribleGuy45]

The series of responses above are correct concerning matters discused IN confession, but I’m wondering if there another dimension to the OP’s question.

I believe that ALL clergy (including deacons and professed religious) are, at least in some states, put into a “mandated reporter” position by law if they suspect, or come into knowledge of, situations such as child abuse OUTSIDE OF CONFESSION. In this regard I believe they are in a similar position as medical professionals who have a legal obligation to report suspected abuse despite the legal recognition of doctor-patient confidentiality. This may well vary by state, and may even extend to all those who, in any way, have contact with children (such as CCD teachers). So in that sense, while the line is clear at “confessional” matters, I believe that in certain circumstances there IS an obligation to contact authorities – one example being a child who might come to CCD class with visible bruises and makes the statement that their parent hit them.

 

[averheyen]

Ok then, so when a priest hears a confession, can they, or do they, as a penance, recommend that the person turn themselves in?

 

[Friar_David_O.Carm]

Ok then, so when a priest hears a confession, can they, or do they, as a penance, recommend that the person turn themselves in?

No, turning one’s self in can not be part of the penance as it would break Canon 983.

Here it is again;

Can. 983 §1. The sacramental seal is inviolable; therefore it is absolutely forbidden for a confessor to betray in any way a penitent in words or in any manner and for any reason.

This is covered by the end, “…or in any manner…” Giving a penance to turn one’s self in would betray the penitent.

 

[Joe_Kelley]

The series of responses above are correct concerning matters discused IN confession, but I’m wondering if there another dimension to the OP’s question.

I believe that ALL clergy (including deacons and professed religious) are, at least in some states, put into a “mandated reporter” position by law if they suspect, or come into knowledge of, situations such as child abuse OUTSIDE OF CONFESSION. In this regard I believe they are in a similar position as medical professionals who have a legal obligation to report suspected abuse despite the legal recognition of doctor-patient confidentiality. This may well vary by state, and may even extend to all those who, in any way, have contact with children (such as CCD teachers). So in that sense, while the line is clear at “confessional” matters, I believe that in certain circumstances there IS an obligation to contact authorities – one example being a child who might come to CCD class with visible bruises and makes the statement that their parent hit them.

I think you are generally right. The one exception might be if the perpetrator comes to the priest outside confession for spiritual counseling. I think all clergy enjoy a protection for professional counselling - much as doctors and lawyers. I am thinking particularly of the ex-football player turned minister who refused to testify in the O. J. Simpson trial. Even those who overheard some of the conversation were excluded from testifying. That was not a Catholic confession, but appeared to have similar protection.

 

[Leopard]

Ok then, so when a priest hears a confession, can they, or do they, as a penance, recommend that the person turn themselves in?

Yes, they can suggest this, but may not impose it as a pennance or as a condition for absolution.

 

[Sarabande]

No, turning one’s self in can not be part of the penance as it would break Canon 983.

Here it is again;

Can. 983 §1. The sacramental seal is inviolable; therefore it is absolutely forbidden for a confessor to betray in any way a penitent in words or in any manner and for any reason.

This is covered by the end, “…or in any manner…” Giving a penance to turn one’s self in would betray the penitent.

So, since a priest cannot advise the penitent to turn oneself in, can he still advise the penitent to stop his actions, such as a advising a child rapist or molester to stop or keep away from children? If the penitent continues to commit this same act with the same child or with numerous ones and continues to go to confession, can the priest suggest for the penitent to seek counseling and help on this, or would that fall under breaking the sacramental seal?

I

 

[bluerose]

So, since a priest cannot advise the penitent to turn oneself in, can he still advise the penitent to stop his actions, such as a advising a child rapist or molester to stop or keep away from children? If the penitent continues to commit this same act with the same child or with numerous ones and continues to go to confession, can the priest suggest for the penitent to seek counseling and help on this, or would that fall under breaking the sacramental seal?

I

I don’t think that’s what’s meant. I think he CAN suggest to the penitent that they turn themselves in, but he CANNOT mandate it as part of the penance (in other words, he can’t say “You must turn yourself in or you won’t receive absolution.”)

Is that correct?

 

[Sarabande]

I don’t think that’s what’s meant. I think he CAN suggest to the penitent that they turn themselves in, but he CANNOT mandate it as part of the penance (in other words, he can’t say “You must turn yourself in or you won’t receive absolution.”)

Is that correct?

That makes sense. Thank you for clarifying.

 

[Br.Rich_SFO]

I’m not really sure if this question goes here, so feel free to have it moved if you like .

So…I know that priests have an obligation to keep a person’s confession between themselves and God, but when is a priest obligated to call the police or contact certain authorities if someone confesses something gravely wrong?

For example, if a person committed murder but hadn’t been caught, and confessed, would the priest have an obligation to contact the police? Or call Child Services if someone admitted to abusing their children? Or the ASPCA if they were abusing an animal?
-OR-
Do they have to keep absolutely everything to themselves so that people will not be afraid to go to confession? Answers please?

He is obligated like anyone else to report any known child abuse or criminal activity which he learns about outside of the Sacrament of Reconciliation. Anything learned within the Sacrament is forever sealed.

 

[Sir_Knight]

No, turning one’s self in can not be part of the penance as it would break Canon 983.

Here it is again;

Can. 983 §1. The sacramental seal is inviolable; therefore it is absolutely forbidden for a confessor to betray in any way a penitent in words or in any manner and for any reason.

This is covered by the end, “…or in any manner…” Giving a penance to turn one’s self in would betray the penitent.

That is incorrect. The priest can give any penance that he feels is appropriate even for the penitent to turn themselves in.

What most people do not understand that there in no connection with the penance being performed and the absolution given. Absolution takes place before the penitent leaves the confessional and can never be conditional on some later action being performed.

 

[Sir_Knight]

Yes, they can suggest this, but may not impose it as a pennance or as a condition for absolution.

That is correct. It can never be a condition for absolution.

 

[Sir_Knight]

I don’t think that’s what’s meant. I think he CAN suggest to the penitent that they turn themselves in, but he CANNOT mandate it as part of the penance (in other words, he can’t say “You must turn yourself in or you won’t receive absolution.”)

Is that correct?

Yes.

 

[Daprato]

The series of responses above are correct concerning matters discused IN confession, but I’m wondering if there another dimension to the OP’s question.

I believe that ALL clergy (including deacons and professed religious) are, at least in some states, put into a “mandated reporter” position by law if they suspect, or come into knowledge of, situations such as child abuse OUTSIDE OF CONFESSION. In this regard I believe they are in a similar position as medical professionals who have a legal obligation to report suspected abuse despite the legal recognition of doctor-patient confidentiality. This may well vary by state, and may even extend to all those who, in any way, have contact with children (such as CCD teachers). So in that sense, while the line is clear at “confessional” matters, I believe that in certain circumstances there IS an obligation to contact authorities – one example being a child who might come to CCD class with visible bruises and makes the statement that their parent hit them.

Professed religious are not clergy.

 

[BobP123]

No, turning one’s self in can not be part of the penance as it would break Canon 983.

Here it is again;

Can. 983 §1. The sacramental seal is inviolable; therefore it is absolutely forbidden for a confessor to betray in any way a penitent in words or in any manner and for any reason.

This is covered by the end, “…or in any manner…” Giving a penance to turn one’s self in would betray the penitent.

But a priest isn’t bound to forgive all sins either.

 

[drafdog]

By demanding as a condition of receiving absolution that the penitant present himself/herself to the legal authorities as a demonstration of firm purpose of amendment, the priest does not break the seal of confession. He is requiring that the person bear the legal responsibility of sinful behavior. The priest is not breaking the seal of confession; the penitent is confessing his own crime to the appropriate authorities, both ecclesiastical and civic.
The priest might say, “Go to the police and tell them what you have just told me. Call me from the jail using your one allowed phone call. I will come and hear your confession at that time and make arrangements for an attorney.” He does not break the seal of confession; he verifies that the penitent is sincere; the penitent is then in the hands of the authorities who may decide on legal actions. The seal of confession should not be used as a shield from legal responsibility for criminal actions.

Matthew