If a person goes to a priest and confesses to a murder what should the priest do? He is bound by the laws of God not to tell anyone what he was told during confession and yet if he says nothing that murderer might get away with it.
2006-08-23 19:43:44 · 25 answers · asked by Scooby 6 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
It is an old RC Custom that the priest keep hush about the confessional.
Some years ago they did make one single concession---
In the case of Murder.
It is so many years ago I have difficulty remembering-- but I think it was a matter of Concession or being charged with withholding evidence in a first degree murder case.
WOW --that was years and years ago.
2006-08-23 19:50:08 · answer #1 · answered by whynotaskdon 7 · 2⤊ 2⤋
Movies keep up the myth that they cannot turn someone in but in fact they can. A lot of priests have friends in the force, I'm sure it would be according to the crime.
By the way, for those who don't know, Catholics don't think priests are God. We go to confession because Christ said, "What is forgiven on earth is forgiven in heaven." When Christ dispatched the 40 disciples (and there is only one reference to this, most people forget it) He told them they have the power to forgive sins. During confession, we tell God out loud that we're sorry in the name of Jesus. Not much different than what protestants do except the priest is there as a witness representing the man aspect. We don't think priests are God nor do we worship them!
2006-08-24 02:57:15 · answer #2 · answered by madbaldscotsman 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Being a Pastor.. myself although not a priest
the answer is simple.. The Priest can leave hints or clues around without telling anyone about it. People are nosey by nature. This Yahoo site proves that don't it? The Priest or
Pastor is not breaking confidence by leaving hints or clues for people to find!.. He/She must not blurt out anything about someone's confession. Writing a persons confession out is not a clue that is blabbing it in writing.. a breaking of confidence! Eventually some one will figure it out and the murderer be caught probably when he/she thinks gotten away with it!
2006-08-29 12:58:44 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The Priest should inform the murderer that he should immediately surrender to the cops otherwise God will punish him. A Priest, being a messenger of the God, should immediately arrange to inform the cops. God always suggests to punish evil. Forgiveness to such an extent can be termed as cowardice.
2006-08-24 02:46:08 · answer #4 · answered by Chakravarthy S 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No one ever gets away with anything. All face the final judgment. That would be a moral and ethical dilemma for any priest but I would imagine they would encourage the penitent to turn him or herself in, but would have to abide by the sanctity of his office. If someone confessed that they were going to murder, that might be entirely different.
2006-08-24 02:49:24 · answer #5 · answered by Robert L 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Is it practical to confess a murder to a priest?
2006-08-24 02:48:55 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't think anyone would fault the priest for not reporting the matter, but the murderer should be advised to turn himself or herself in.
It would be appropriate, I think, for the priest to advise the murderer to contact an attorney or legal aid for help.
I'm not a Catholic, but I do understand the confidentiality requirements for priests.
A priest could also discuss the matter with his superiors and seek advice. I would think they would advise him much as I have answered.
2006-08-24 02:55:14 · answer #7 · answered by Warren D 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The priest can talk to the person who confessed and urge them to go to the police to face justice. The priest could make going to the police part of the penance.
2006-08-24 02:46:02 · answer #8 · answered by FCabanski 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The laws of god also ask you to do onto other ask you would have them do onto you. therefore, being a priest, you should tell the proper authorities in order to prevent this person from murdering another. If you were a person who was about to be murdered by this man, you would have wished that it were prevented by someone who knew beforehand.
2006-08-24 02:47:34 · answer #9 · answered by absoluteao 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Just like the lawyer priest can not tell anyone about the confession given by murderer. But he can suggest / give opinion to murdrer to surrender to police. When he will do it, he will perform his duty & he will not fill any more guilty.
2006-08-26 04:17:25 · answer #10 · answered by smalleyessharpviews 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Confession saves the soul, but "an eye for an eye"... justice must be served. It is the priest's duty to execute the murderer.
2006-08-24 02:47:44 · answer #11 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋