"One of the least appreciated aspects of the priesthood is the
priest's absolute commitment to keeping sacred and inviolable the seal
of the Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation.
"What this means is that under no circumstances whatsoever will a
priest divulge what a particular person told him in Confession. Even if
he's threatened with imprisonment, torture or death. Even if others are
about to scourge his mother. Even if someone is destroying his
reputation by unjustly accusing him of doing nefarious things in the
Confessional or of having committed the very crime that the penitent
himself confessed. Even if the only thing a penitent has confessed is
impatience at a red light.
"The sacramental seal is something that makes even the most humanly
inadequate, faint-hearted, easily intimidated, conflict adverse and
pusillanimous priest ready for heroism. I often ask Catholics with whom I
speak about the Sacrament of Penance: Do you realize that every priest
is ready to die for you, to protect what you say through him to God?
Most, young and old, have never really thought about it.
"Many priests have in fact died in protecting the seal of Confession."
In a recent commentary, writer Father Roger Landry reflected on the seal of Confession and on some recent attacks on this seal.
To access Fr. Landry's complete post, please visit:
National Catholic Register: Blogs: Fr. Roger Landry: Your Priest is Ready to Die For You, to Protect the Seal of Confession (26 JUN 18)
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