What if a murderer confess he's crime, and the cops are looking for him? What is the priest doing then?
2007-04-14 19:41:21 · 14 answers · asked by fast&furious 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
The seal of the confessional is absolute under pain of mortal sin. There are no exceptions under which a priest could divulge a penitent’s confession without the penitent’s specific permission. As in the Sacrament of Baptism and Holy Communion, the priest is literally acting in the place of Christ Himself (in the case of the Sacrament of Penance, offering God’s mercy to those who are truly sorry), and a person must know he is safe in confessing to the priest because what is said there is between him and God alone. Whatever the civil authorities of particular nation may require at a particular point in history (in some countries today, just saying Mass is a capital crime), a priest would be expected by God and His Church to face imprisonment or even execution rather than violate the seal of the confessional.
Edit:
I don't know what DougLawrence below thinks he's talking about, but I assure you there is not now nor ever could be any exception for so-called "child abuse" or anything else. As I wrote above (and he quoted): "The seal of the confessional is absolute."
2007-04-14 19:56:47 · answer #1 · answered by Gaius Julius Caesar 4 · 5⤊ 0⤋
The seal of the confessional is the just that. You see movies about this sort of thing. The priest might try to get the person to go to the police and turn himself in, but the priest can not do it. And it does not make him an accomplice as it would if the murder told his best friend. The Priest is protected because it is part of his job as a priest.
2007-04-14 19:53:36 · answer #2 · answered by tonks_op 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
something which you're saying to a priest in confessional will proceed to be in the confessional, it truly is termed the seal of the confessional, and however if it truly is broken then they face automatic excommunication. there have been monks who've given their lives protecting what they have heard in confession. as an occasion, St John Nepomucene is common by fact the martyr of the confessional. you could confess which you have killed somebody...and the priest won't have the ability to tell all people. you could confess which you're making plans on killing somebody...and the priest won't have the ability to tell all people. you could confess which you're making plans on killing the priest...and the priest won't have the ability to tell all people, as quickly as greater you could tell him the time, and place which you're making plans on killing him and the priest won't have the ability to even exchange his plans. The priest can not show or use any innovations that he has heard in the confessional. i've got heard it stated that the priest could recommend to the penitent that they turn themselves in to police, yet they are in a position to't make it a condition to get carry of absolution, it truly is against the church regulation to tension the penitent to bare their guilt concerning to any sins that they have got dedicated...that should be like forcing the penitent to break the seal of the confessional on themselves.
2016-12-29 12:31:56 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
He is forbidden to reveal what was confessed to him. End of story. The priest will try to convince the sinner to turn himself in and in effect make that a condition of absolution. But think. How many murderers who are penitent and confess to a priest would not turn themselves in? Some I am sure but I would propose those who wanted salvation would pay their debt.
2007-04-14 19:48:46 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Confession are confidential yes, A priest is not legally required to tell if anyone comes to them confessing a crime.
It is mostly because they (being the confessor) is confessing to what ever and the priest is giving them absolution, so in the eyes of the church they are forgiven and the cops are not needed.
2007-04-14 19:45:36 · answer #5 · answered by LadyCatherine 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
no the priest wont talk to the police, but he will talk to the person who killed someone and hell have a way of making that person feel so guilty that he will confess himself. there are two ways around everything. the priest has a choice he talks to the police or makes the man or woman confess at the end of the day its the same thing
2007-04-14 19:48:02 · answer #6 · answered by ‡ЭЭЭ‡ 5 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Now that is different the priest would have to talk it would be like if someone went to a psychologist and told them that they murdered someone because they aren't supposed to tell what they hear either.
2007-04-14 19:46:36 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
The "seal" of the confessional is absolute, and applies even to other Catholics who might accidentally overhear part of another's confession.
The only exception applies in the case of a priest confessing the sin of child abuse ... a rather recent, but unfortunately, necessary innovation.
2007-04-14 22:16:49 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
You still need physical evidence from the crime scene, or something that proves he did it. A confessional doesn't matter unless it's in a court room in front of a judge.
2007-04-14 19:53:00 · answer #9 · answered by athletic dude 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
He can encourage the murderer to turn himself in,but he is still not supposed to break the confidentiality of a confession.
2007-04-14 19:44:17 · answer #10 · answered by LeeAnna32 3 · 5⤊ 0⤋