Can the seal of Confession be broken after the death of a penitent.

[AdamPeter]

I was watching a Cold Case episode recently and a Catholic priest in the episode breaks the seal of confession after the penitent has died. In the episode this is passed off as being ok.

I am wondering, is this actually the case or is the seal of confession unbreakable.

Thanks

Adam-Peter

[Fr. Vincent Serpa]

Hi,

Not surprisingly, the film got it wrong. No; a priest is not allowed to break the seal of Confession even after the penitent has died.

Fr. Vincent Serpa, O.P.