The Seal of Confession Remains Absolute

Several states have passed laws requiring a priest to reveal certain contents of confessions.  If a priest does so it is a grave sin, so compliance is impossible.  It also happens that Ireland and Australia have national laws of the same nature.  This attacks a fundamental Sacrament of the Catholic Church.  Hence it was compelling that Pope Francis addressed the situation.

In the case of the United States there are strict laws that prohibit a lawyer from revealing anything a client says.  Even if a client admits committing a crime to a lawyer, the lawyer would be in serious trouble for revealing it.  This is considered privileged information.

In addition to lawyers some professionals also have such prohibitions against releasing information, such as psychologists.

It is illogical to place such a burden on a priest when secular professions enjoy the privilege of secrecy.

If a person is standing too close to a confessional, and the penitent is too loud, the person might overhear the conversation.  It is required that anyone inadvertently overhearing a confession is bound to the same seal of silence as the priest. 

This could soon be more troubling if a government uses electronic listening devices in a confessional.

Pope Francis has now made it clear that under no circumstances is the Seal of Confession to be violated. 

In older churches there usually is a screen between the priest and the penitent.  This distorts the view.  The priest generally looks straight ahead, with one ear aimed at the obscuring screen.  A sliding door opens after the corresponding door to the other side of the confessional closes.

If this practice is used the priest could easily testify that he does not know what a person has said.  As for voice recognition, one could go to confession in a parish one does not frequent, and thereby remain completely anonymous.

Modern churches often have face to face confessional.  These are problematic.  In face to face confessionals a person and a priest are able to see each other clearly.  Of course the anonymous version should also be an option.

Another option, albeit not often used, is confession in which the penitent does not even reveal sins to the priest.  This is, for example, sometimes used for soldiers about to go into battle where individual confessions are impractical.  There has been some discussion concerning such a Penance rite being used.  This would require a change in Canon Law.  Canon Law does not allow this except in grave situations.  But Canon Law is changeable. 

The problem with this is that the priest often gives advice to help a person improve.  Another problem is the impediment to the priest ascertaining that the person understands change is necessary for sins that have become a way of life for the person.  Such advice is unavailable for general absolution rites.  It would deprive the penitent of a valuable source of spiritual advice.  Yet, if governments force the issue it may have to be given further consideration. 

Apparently, at least the Anglican Church also has a Seal of Confession.  This is understandable since it formed with Catholic clergy, The reason Henry VIII broke with Rome had to do with his personal situation, so changes to Confession in form would not be likely.  Perhaps other religions also have such a seal.

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