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14 nov 2022

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E. Peters, wbp

The Seal of Confession

Overview

The seal of Confession is absolutely inviolable but identifying what is, and what is not, covered by the seal requires a proper understanding of canon law and the sacramental doctrine it upholds.

Law

1983 CIC 0983. § 1. Sacramentale sigillum inviolabile est; quare nefas est confessario verbis vel alio quovis modo et quavis de causa aliquatenus prodere paenitentem. § 2. Obligatione secretum servandi tenentur quoque interpres, si detur, necnon omnes alii ad quos ex confessione notitia peccatorum quoquo modo pervenerit.

Eng trans. 1983 CIC 0983. § 1. The sacramental seal is inviolable; therefore it is absolutely forbidden for a confessor to betray in any way a penitent in words or in any manner and for any reason. § 2. The interpreter, if there is one, and all others who in any way have knowledge of sins from confession are also obliged to observe secrecy.

1917 CIC 0889. § 1. Sacramentale sigillum inviolabile est; quare caveat diligenter confessarius ne verbo aut signo aut alio quovis modo et quavis de causa prodat aliquatenus peccatorem. § 2. Obligatione servandi sacramentale sigillum tenentur quoque interpres aliique omnes ad quos notitia confessionis quoquo modo pervenerit.

Eng trans. 1917 CIC 0889. § 1. The sacramental seal is inviolable; therefore a confessor will diligently take care that neither by word nor sign or in any other way and for any reason will he betray in the slightest anyone’s sin. § 2. Interpreters are likewise bound by the obligation of preserving the sacramental seal as well as all those who in any way come into knowledge of the confession.

My writings

• Peters' Blog, 03 feb 2014, here. ▪ Hummer's description of the confessional material disclosed to him by the felon McGuire raises serious questions about the violation of seal. > Canon 983. Pascite 1388=. Release from the seal. Cappello. Penance. Anointing. Canon 1004.

• Peters' Blog, 12 jan 2006, here. ▪ There are at least six reasons why knowing whether a confession took place is useless for knowing what was confessed. > Canon 983. Civil court.

• Edward Peters, "The seal of confession", Catholic Answer (Nov 2006) 30-32, pdf here.

Other

commentary

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Exercises

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Materials on this website represent the opinions of Dr. Edward Peters and are offered in accord with Canon 212 § 3.

This website undergoes continual refinement and development. No warranty of completeness or correctness is made.

Dr. Peters' views are not necessarily shared by others in the field nor are they intended as canonical or civil advice.