Seal Of Confession

[Dave]

I've always heard that the seal of confession may never be broken for any reason. However, according to the Pocket Catholic Dictionary by the late great Father John Hardon, SJ, the entry for "seal of confession" says at the end: "Under no circumstances may any of this information be revealed unless the penitent freely gives permission."

Was Fr. Hardon mistaken?

[Good Friday]

I've always heard that the seal of confession may never be broken for any reason. However, according to the Pocket Catholic Dictionary by the late great Father John Hardon, SJ, the entry for "seal of confession" says at the end: "Under no circumstances may any of this information be revealed unless the penitent freely gives permission."

I've always heard that the penitent can release the priest from the Confessional seal, as Fr. Hardon says. I don't know if it's true, though. I think it would make sense, since the Confessional seal is designed to protect the penitent. For instance, the penitent might release the priest from the Confessional seal so that the priest can talk to another more knowledgeable priest, or the Bishop, or something to that effect about a certain problem told to the priest in the Confessional. That would make sense to me. But just because it makes sense doesn't mean it's true. I'll see what I can find for you.

[Chrysologus]

It wouldn't make any sense to say that he couldn't even if the penitent allowed him to, because the penitent could just tell him again outside the confessional to get around it, which would just be silly.

[Donna]

Eternal rest grant unto Father Hardon, O Lord, and let per-

petual light shine upon him.

From the gates of hell, deliver his soul, O Lord.

May he rest in peace.

Lord, hear my prayer.

And let my cry come unto Thee...

[Luke2219]

That is correct. If the penitent gives permission, that is not breaking the seal as I understand it. The priest may ask the penitent if he can talk about it outside the confessional and then there is no cannonical seal however ethicly, the priest would still not be able to tell anyone unless there were grave reasons. Talking to a priest outside the confessional is similar to doctor/patient confidentiality.

Additionaly, under the seal, the priest cannot even talk to the penitent about the sins unless the penitent comes to him first. All the priests I have heard talk about this say that they don't even remember most of the things they hear in the confessional.