The Protection of the Sacramental Seal. The Prohibition of using Knowledge Acquired in Confession to the Detriment of the Penitent

Abstract

The subject of the article is a norm of can. 984 § 1 that is expressed in statement: “A confessor is completely prohibited from using the knowledge acquired from confession to the detriment of the penitent even when any danger of revelation is excluded”. The basic problem of the article is the correct understanding of the sacramental seal. It embraces not only direct or indirect violation of the seal, but also refers to every circumstance that could be inconvenient for the penitent. The article shows arguments that might cause the departing from the ban. They are as follows: the care of a better celebration of the sacrament of penance, consultation with another confessor in case of the necessity, revelation of the sin for granting faculty and the dialogue with penitent about confession on penitent’s wish. The Roman congregations and blessed Pope John Paul II used to warn confessors against the unwise revelation of the knowledge acquired from confession. The problem is still serious and requires permanent care of the bishops,  including the use of the canonical penalties.