It's utterly insane that a priest would protect a criminal when they know they can be forgiven just the same as they are giving forgiveness to the criminal! How can one compare the sin of telling a lie to that of rape, murder, etc! Why don't you folks demand a higher standard from those who proclaim the highest standard!!!!
2006-09-05 19:02:20 · 13 answers · asked by flignar 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
If you are talking of a confessional, well every religion has it's own set of rules that must be respected. Understand the idea behind the confessional-it is to try and shame the confessor into not committing the same sin or other sins again. Remember, a sinner also contributes to society in his own small way by good deeds.
If you can have that sinner improve his own life when he realizes the magnitude of the wrong he has done, it is better to let such a person continue normal life, for the sinner could be a father, a mother, a child who has many responsibilities, maybe even to a pet dog. Shutting such a person up or punishing that person would deprive the dependent.
I am not a Christian.
Life's Lovely! Love & Live Life!
2006-09-06 00:18:45 · answer #1 · answered by Starreply 6 · 4⤊ 0⤋
The Seal of the Confessional doesn't permit a priest to tell anything that he's heard during confession. It's meant to protect the person and allow him/her to receive absolution without anything to hinder them from making a full confession.
I think Hollywood makes it sound like a priest hearing a murder confession is an everyday occurence. If the truth were told, I seriously doubt that it happens very often. And if a priest has a serious problem with something he's heard in the sanctity of the confessional, he can always discuss the case with his Bishop -- no names, just the basics of the situation.
I'm afraid I don't understand your "higher standards" comment, though. The Confessional is meant to be a chance for a person to receive forgiveness from God, not judgment from man. The two things simply can't be equated as far as sacramental confession is concerned.
2006-09-05 19:11:49 · answer #2 · answered by Wolfeblayde 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because the highest standard being maintained is confidentiality. A priest cannot ever reveal a confession, because if it were something to be taken lightly, no one would ever confess. A priest will never forgive or give absolution to a confessed rapist, murderer, etc, however, unless the confessor has reported their crimes to the proper authorities. It's kind of a double edged sword, but one that has endured for many years in the Catholic tradition. Would you feel differently if you were cheating on your spouse, confessed and truly wanted to stop that behavior, but the priest went ahead and told your spouse, in the name of justice? The priest, as an earthly representative of God, is only there to act as an intermediate, not as God Himself.
2006-09-05 19:12:26 · answer #3 · answered by traydenma 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I agree. This has nothing to do with patient-doctor or lawyer-client confidentiality. A doctor can't tell about a patient's health, but being ill is not a crime. And in a lawyer's client, it's understandable, because that's the only way a person can get a fair trial.
But a priest does nothing REAL for the person he listens to. Crimes should be reported, or the priest should be held as an accomplice.
2006-09-05 19:10:47 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is call the seal of confessional.
When someone confesses within the sacrament of penance, they are confessing to God. It is God who hears and God who forgives. The priest is only an intermediary. As a result, the priest can not repeat anything that is said within the confessional, within the sacrament of penance.
I wish I could give you a better reason, but priest are just servants. Nothing more, nothing less. If a crime is committed, the priest may ask the person to turn themselves in as part of the atonement. But the priest can not reveal what is say in the confessional. What is said to God, is God's; we are merely keeping repentance private.
2006-09-05 19:27:41 · answer #5 · answered by J. 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is unfortunate that a priest would have no choice but to hear the confession of a criminal. He is then required by his church not to reveal anything anyone has confessed.
Generally speaking, the priest is not a member of law enforcement.
Wasn't there a law that a wife could not testify against her husband? If there is then this would be similar I would think. Am I overlooking something?
2006-09-05 19:11:23 · answer #6 · answered by devotionalservice 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
God is conscious of our heart. He is conscious of if we are particularly repenting or if we are only giving lip provider. whilst somebody repents they turn remote from sin. they do no longer proceed in it. If somebody claims to be a Christian and lives brazenly sinful existence then there is a few thing heavily incorrect. i understand this is not user-friendly to have self assurance and not user-friendly to understand yet once you substitute right into a Christian some thing variations interior you and you do no longer opt to sin anymore. you're a clean creature in Christ.
2016-12-18 05:41:15 · answer #7 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You are painting people here with a very broad brush. I am not Catholic, yet I am a Christian. I cannot demand anything from a priest.
2006-09-05 19:06:43 · answer #8 · answered by chris 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Interesting that you would say highest standard. Billions of dollars would shut anyone up, especially if they could do what they wanted and not have to answer to anyone. Rome works that way.
2006-09-05 19:08:07 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
For the same reason that doctors cannot divulge patient information.
Confidentiality laws.
We live in a country of laws, not necesssarily justice.
2006-09-05 19:05:28 · answer #10 · answered by Bob L 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋