Is It True That No Matter What is Discussed to a Priest in a Confessional...

Jim

Member
Joined
May 15, 2008
Messages
873
Reaction score
0
Points
16
...Cannot Come Out? Like everything from confessing to taking money out of your mother's purse up to admitting to child molesting / murder...'

What is said to a priest under confession cannot be revealed?
 
No. The two exceptions you already listed. If you admit to murder or child-rape, then the church is bound by law to report you.
 
Well, unlike licensed psychiatrists, priests don't have to sign a doctor/patient confidentiality agreement to where you can sue them for releasing your info. Maybe the priest is considerate enough not to release information that you confided in him out of good faith, but you're basically leaving it all up to trust.
 
For mundane things, yes.
For crimes, a priest can reveal a murderer or serious criminal; and would certainly refuse to absolve anyone who did not turn themselves in.
In certain jurisdictions, they are required by law (like doctors, etc) to reveal crimes against children and other serious crimes.
 
Whatever is said to a priest hearing your confession cannot be revealed to anyone else. It is referred to as the seal of confession.
 
Priests and the psychiatric community are bound by an oath of confidentiality. IF you are CONTEMPLATING a crime, they are bound by law to disclose this.
 
Back
Top