Don't priests have a you-have-to-spill-the-beans-if-someone's-a-danger clause? I think that's a big flaw in Catholicism if not. Of course, if he did there'd be no impossible choice. So I guess the less said about that the better. Oops.
Just like psychiatrists, but not all of them are willing to spill the beans.
A friend who just read it was disappointed the priest didn't kill the guy; that way he would be taking on his sins. It's a good point. I didn't think of it, alas.
What a story. Well done. I wonder now about what Jeff said. Do priests have to go to the authorities in such case? You brought up a very interesting question. I wouldn‘t want to be in the priest shoes. That is for sure…
It's much more complicated than Jeff thought. I've actually done some research.
Here's what I've found:
In the Roman Catholic Church, the Seal of Confession is a fundamental tenet that obliges priests to maintain absolute confidentiality regarding the sins confessed to them. This rule is taken very seriously, and breaking the Seal of Confession can result in severe penalties for the priest, including excommunication.
Here’s a detailed breakdown of the implications:
1. Seal of Confession: Canon law (specifically Canon 983 of the Code of Canon Law) dictates that a priest cannot disclose any information learned during the Sacrament of Penance (confession) under any circumstances. This applies regardless of the severity of the sin or crime confessed.
2. Legal Obligations: In many countries, including the United States, this religious duty is recognized and protected by law, meaning that priests are not legally required to report information gained through confession. However, the extent of this protection can vary, and in some jurisdictions, there are movements to challenge or limit these protections, especially in cases involving serious crimes such as child abuse.
3. Moral Dilemma: Priests are often faced with a moral dilemma when they hear confessions involving serious crimes. They may encourage the confessor to self-report to the authorities or seek help, but they themselves cannot break the confidentiality of the confession.
4. Exceptions and Challenges: There are no canonical exceptions to the Seal of Confession. A priest who violates this seal would face severe ecclesiastical consequences. However, secular authorities and public opinion in some regions are increasingly pushing for mandatory reporting laws that could put priests in a challenging position between civil law and church law.
In summary, according to the rules of the Roman Catholic faith, a priest is bound to keep the contents of a confession entirely confidential, even if the information pertains to a serious crime. The church’s teaching and canon law strictly prohibit the priest from disclosing this information to authorities or anyone else.
Don't priests have a you-have-to-spill-the-beans-if-someone's-a-danger clause? I think that's a big flaw in Catholicism if not. Of course, if he did there'd be no impossible choice. So I guess the less said about that the better. Oops.
Just like psychiatrists, but not all of them are willing to spill the beans.
A friend who just read it was disappointed the priest didn't kill the guy; that way he would be taking on his sins. It's a good point. I didn't think of it, alas.
whoa, that is indeed the ending
Really great, Alex. Outstanding.
Thank you, Donn.
Interesting Alex and I like the first two photographs a lot!
Thanks a lot, Shital!
Great! Unique, powerful. One of your very best. Really fine stuff here.
Thank you very much, Mark!
What a story. Well done. I wonder now about what Jeff said. Do priests have to go to the authorities in such case? You brought up a very interesting question. I wouldn‘t want to be in the priest shoes. That is for sure…
Thank you for your comment, Susanne.
It's much more complicated than Jeff thought. I've actually done some research.
Here's what I've found:
In the Roman Catholic Church, the Seal of Confession is a fundamental tenet that obliges priests to maintain absolute confidentiality regarding the sins confessed to them. This rule is taken very seriously, and breaking the Seal of Confession can result in severe penalties for the priest, including excommunication.
Here’s a detailed breakdown of the implications:
1. Seal of Confession: Canon law (specifically Canon 983 of the Code of Canon Law) dictates that a priest cannot disclose any information learned during the Sacrament of Penance (confession) under any circumstances. This applies regardless of the severity of the sin or crime confessed.
2. Legal Obligations: In many countries, including the United States, this religious duty is recognized and protected by law, meaning that priests are not legally required to report information gained through confession. However, the extent of this protection can vary, and in some jurisdictions, there are movements to challenge or limit these protections, especially in cases involving serious crimes such as child abuse.
3. Moral Dilemma: Priests are often faced with a moral dilemma when they hear confessions involving serious crimes. They may encourage the confessor to self-report to the authorities or seek help, but they themselves cannot break the confidentiality of the confession.
4. Exceptions and Challenges: There are no canonical exceptions to the Seal of Confession. A priest who violates this seal would face severe ecclesiastical consequences. However, secular authorities and public opinion in some regions are increasingly pushing for mandatory reporting laws that could put priests in a challenging position between civil law and church law.
In summary, according to the rules of the Roman Catholic faith, a priest is bound to keep the contents of a confession entirely confidential, even if the information pertains to a serious crime. The church’s teaching and canon law strictly prohibit the priest from disclosing this information to authorities or anyone else.