Can A Priest Ever Mention, anything Related to What he Heard in a Confession?

mcw013 · #1 Oct 14, '12, 8:55 am

Hello Everyone,

This post is not for me, but rather for a friend of mine who is more than "slightly" worried.
He has been having issues with pornography, and frequently confesses this to his priest.

After his last confession, he mentioned to the priest that his father is trying to sell a car, AND apparently the priest told him "Let your father see me this week."

So now my friend is worried that the priest will mention something from his confessions, to his father. Well the rest is self explanatory.

I tried telling him, that the priest is just interested in buying the car from his father, or probably knows someone who is, but he is still worried that the priest will expose the details of his confessions, to his father.

SO will a priest ever mention anything from a confession to anyone? OR To a family member? As Far as I know it never happens, but I'm just curious if there are any exceptions to the rule, and seal of confession etc, etc.

Replies would be appreciated.

Through Him · #2 Oct 14, '12, 9:04 am

No they are not suppose to. I will reply because I am on just reading a lot of forums. Our priest mentions in his homilies about someone for instance is having trouble with pornography. He doesn't mention any names. I think he does this to give added advice and you should know that you are not in the same boat. Your dad may already know what you are struggling with. He may be able to help you. Just trust God for the help. My advice throw it out keep your mind occupied with something else.

mcw013 · #3 Oct 14, '12, 9:12 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by Through Him

No they are not suppose to. I will reply because I am on just reading a lot of forums. Our priest mentions in his homilies about someone for instance is having trouble with pornography. He doesn't mention any names. I think he does this to give added advice and you should know that you are not in the same boat. Your dad may already know what you are struggling with. He may be able to help you. Just trust God for the help. My advice throw it out keep your mind occupied with something else.

Thank you for the reply, but as I said this doesnt concern me: but my friend and his dad.

CB Catholic · #4 Oct 14, '12, 10:02 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by mcw013

Hello Everyone,

This post is not for me, but rather for a friend of mine who is more than "slightly" worried.
He has been having issues with pornography, and frequently confesses this to his priest.

After his last confession, he mentioned to the priest that his father is trying to sell a car, AND apparently the priest told him "Let your father see me this week."

So now my friend is worried that the priest will mention something from his confessions, to his father. Well the rest is self explanatory.

I tried telling him, that the priest is just interested in buying the car from his father, or probably knows someone who is, but he is still worried that the priest will expose the details of his confessions, to his father.

SO will a priest ever mention anything from a confession to anyone? OR To a family member? As Far as I know it never happens, but I'm just curious if there are any exceptions to the rule, and seal of confession etc, etc.

Replies would be appreciated.

If a priest breaks the seal of Confession he is automatically excommunicated. And I believe only the Pope could lift that excommunication. No priest who wants to remain a priest would do that. It is a most grievous offense and there are no exceptions to the rule whatsoever. None. Nada. Zip.

mcw013 · #5 Oct 14, '12, 10:08 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by CB Catholic

If a priest breaks the seal of Confession he is automatically excommunicated. And I believe only the Pope could lift that excommunication. No priest who wants to remain a priest would do that. It is a most grievous offense and there are no exceptions to the rule whatsoever. None. Nada. Zip.

Thank you, no exceptions are exactly what I thought. I'll show this page to my friend. Would you (or anyone else) happen to know of church documents where this is written?

Pitcharan · #6 Oct 14, '12, 10:15 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by mcw013

Hello Everyone,

This post is not for me, but rather for a friend of mine who is more than "slightly" worried.
He has been having issues with pornography, and frequently confesses this to his priest.

After his last confession, he mentioned to the priest that his father is trying to sell a car, AND apparently the priest told him "Let your father see me this week."

So now my friend is worried that the priest will mention something from his confessions, to his father. Well the rest is self explanatory.

I tried telling him, that the priest is just interested in buying the car from his father, or probably knows someone who is, but he is still worried that the priest will expose the details of his confessions, to his father.

SO will a priest ever mention anything from a confession to anyone? OR To a family member? As Far as I know it never happens, but I'm just curious if there are any exceptions to the rule, and seal of confession etc, etc.

Replies would be appreciated.

This worry should be dispelled. I am surprised and never ever met a person who worried after confession. I have only felt relieved and peaceful and as though I had met God.

mcw013 · #7 Oct 14, '12, 10:19 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pitcharan

This worry should be dispelled. I am surprised and never ever met a person who worried after confession. I have only felt relieved and peaceful and as though I had met God.

I know, Confession is so relieving to me: but my friend is a worrysome type and he is quite aware of it. Anyway, thank you everyone. I'll have him read this page later.

Link0126 · #8 Oct 14, '12, 10:28 am

As far as I know, even ex-priests never break the seal of confession. It is not taken lightly by anyone.

Phemie · #9 Oct 14, '12, 10:32 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by mcw013

Thank you, no exceptions are exactly what I thought. I'll show this page to my friend. Would you (or anyone else) happen to know of church documents where this is written?

Code of Canon Law
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.

mcw013 · #10 Oct 14, '12, 10:34 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phemie

Code of Canon Law
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.

Thank you!

mcw013 · #11 Oct 14, '12, 10:35 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by Link0126

As far as I know, even ex-priests never break the seal of confession. It is not taken lightly by anyone.

Interesting. I had no idea that ex priests did this.

Phemie · #12 Oct 14, '12, 10:38 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by mcw013

Interesting. I had no idea that ex priests did this.

Remember that there is no such thing as an ex-priest, there are only priests who have been laicized and no longer have faculties to celebrate the sacraments (except that of confession when someone is in danger of death). Violating the seal, even by laicized priests would result in excommunication.

mcw013 · #13 Oct 14, '12, 10:42 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phemie

Remember that there is no such thing as an ex-priest, there are only priests who have been laicized and no longer have faculties to celebrate the sacraments (except that of confession when someone is in danger of death). Violating the seal, even by laicized priests would result in excommunication.

Ok, that explains things. Thank you.

Link0126 · #14 Oct 14, '12, 10:53 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phemie

Remember that there is no such thing as an ex-priest, there are only priests who have been laicized and no longer have faculties to celebrate the sacraments (except that of confession when someone is in danger of death). Violating the seal, even by laicized priests would result in excommunication.

I think what I meant is even priests who have left the Catholic Church.

sedonaman · #15 Oct 14, '12, 10:55 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by mcw013

Hello Everyone,

This post is not for me, but rather for a friend of mine who is more than "slightly" worried.
He has been having issues with pornography, and frequently confesses this to his priest.

After his last confession, he mentioned to the priest that his father is trying to sell a car, AND apparently the priest told him "Let your father see me this week."

So now my friend is worried that the priest will mention something from his confessions, to his father. Well the rest is self explanatory.

I tried telling him, that the priest is just interested in buying the car from his father, or probably knows someone who is, but he is still worried that the priest will expose the details of his confessions, to his father.

SO will a priest ever mention anything from a confession to anyone? OR To a family member? As Far as I know it never happens, but I'm just curious if there are any exceptions to the rule, and seal of confession etc, etc.

Replies would be appreciated.

Yes, if it is of a general nature and cannot be tied to a specific individual. For example, a priest once mentioned in a homily that he had an eight year old confess to committing adultery five times.