if a priest is rude in confession

[theculturewarrior]

The title says it all.

[Era Might]

It is a sin to disclose the unknown faults of others, priest or not.

[theculturewarrior]

But what if you just say, "once this priest, who shall remain anonymous, from an undisclosed location, was rude to me." What if the priest was rude to you because you were African-American, and you were trying to make a social statement by telling people about it?

And finally, suppose being African-American was a mitigating circumstance for your sins, and the priest didn't know you were African American until you told him? Then would it be a sin?

[Era Might]

Oh, I thought you meant to other people in your parish (eg, you walk out of the confessional and tell everyone the Priest is a jerk).

If nobody knows the person, and it's used to illustrate a point, it's fine.

Edited September 14, 2005 by Era Might

[theculturewarrior]

Where can I find more information about this? Is this in the catechism?

[zunshynn]

[quote name='theculturewarrior' date='Sep 14 2005, 02:41 PM']But what if you just say, "once this priest, who shall remain anonymous, from an undisclosed location, was rude to me." What if the priest was rude to you because you were African-American, and you were trying to make a social statement by telling people about it?[/quote]

I think that would only reflect poorly on the Church. I think that's really dwelling on something. Talking about it doesn't change anything, after all, so why the need to make a social statement when it will sound like you're saying a priest was racist (and, because people so associate the behavior of priests with the whole Church--the church as a whole.

[quote]And finally, suppose being African-American was a mitigating circumstance for your sins, and the priest didn't know you were African American until you told him? Then would it be a sin?
[/quote]

There are mitigating circumstances based on race? I mean, I could see mitigating circumstances in many cases for slaves, or Jews from the Holocaust... but on average... I don't see how race could be mitigating.

[theculturewarrior]

Suppose you were confessing a grudge, and the grudge was against a racist, and your father was lynched in the segregated South?

[Era Might]

[quote]Respect for the reputation of persons forbids every attitude and word likely to cause them unjust injury. He becomes guilty:

- of rash judgment who, even tacitly, assumes as true, without sufficient foundation, the moral fault of a neighbor;

- of detraction who, without objectively valid reason, discloses another's faults and failings to persons who did not know them;

- of calumny who, by remarks contrary to the truth, harms the reputation of others and gives occasion for false judgments concerning them.

--CCC #2477[/quote]

If nobody knows the person in question, and there is no reasonable chance that they will identify the person, it does not injure a reputation. Hence, it would be ok to illustrate a point by bringing up a fault.

[theculturewarrior]

[quote name='zunshynn' date='Sep 14 2005, 04:57 PM']I think that would only reflect poorly on the Church. I think that's really dwelling on something. Talking about it doesn't change anything, after all, so why the need to make a social statement when it will sound like you're saying a priest was racist (and, because people so associate the behavior of priests with the whole Church--the church as a whole..
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[/quote]

What if your intention was to describe your experiences and an African American Catholic, and not to deride the Church? What if you assured your listeners that this is not the norm?

[theculturewarrior]

What about the Seal of the Confessional?

[Era Might]

The seal of the confessional does not forbid anecdotal stories, PROVIDED that there is absolutely no chance that the identity of the person in question will be known.

[theculturewarrior]

Do you have a source for this?

(Sorry, but I'm worried about my immortal soul. You know how it is. )

[Era Might]

I don't know what you want a source for. You'll have to tell me specifically what you did. (You can pm me, if you want, or contact a priest if you prefer).

[zunshynn]

I do think, though, that in some circumstances, it could be admissable to privately share something about how a priest treated someone in confession. For example, if you were advising someone on a confessor, someone that maybe had been away from the Church for awhile, or was just coming into the Church, it would be good to advise them to a good, understanding confessor--someone that will help them be at ease, and make a good confession, and will not scandalize by any bad experiences. But this should not be a public statement, or at all gossippy.

[theculturewarrior]

[quote name='Era Might' date='Sep 14 2005, 05:05 PM']I don't know what you want a source for. You'll have to tell me specifically what you did. (You can pm me, if you want, or contact a priest if you prefer).
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[/quote]

It's something I'm "about" to do, unless I find out that it is sinful. I have a story that I would like to share, and I think I will be telling it for the rest of my life, unless it is sinful to do so.