Confession and justice

by Michael Shackleton · Published October 19, 2009 · Updated October 19, 2009

Should priests hear secrets that should be dealt with properly under the law? Some priests engaged in paedophilia may not be given a fair sentence in the confessional, like any other person who might do such a thing. The law was created so that every man, priest or lay, should be held accountable for his actions.

Priests are open to hearing the confession of any and everyone, irrespective of who they are or how serious or light their sins may be.

Acting in Christ�s name, priests are privileged to forgive sin in sacramental absolution, and in this way convey Christ�s merciful pardon for sin. The relationship between priest and penitent is therefore a matter between the penitent and God and no one else. The sinner confesses his sin to the God whom he has offended, and it is the same God who absolves him from his sin. The priest is the divine agent for this reconciliation. Because of this strict confidentiality, he may never disclose to any person or authority what has been told him under the seal of the sacrament, which is a matter of private conscience.

Contrast this with a court of law. The court is not a private forum but a public forum where a person charged with contravening a public law and found guilty, may be sanctioned by the imposition of a public punishment. The court deals with legislation passed by the state to uphold public order and security. It cares nothing about private conscience or personal ideologies. It cares only about the social context of the lawful rights and duties of citizens.

Of course, the social context of sins confessed in the sacrament of reconciliation is not neglected when the priest absolves, counsels and imposes a canonical penance. The priest, in the kind of case you mention, will probably strongly urge the penitent to go public and find ways to rid himself of his personal guilt and remorse by freely confessing his legal transgression and the harm done to others, and being prepared to take the consequences.

If the penitent doesn�t, the priest to whom he has confessed can do nothing because he is not an officer of the law and, especially, he is perpetually bound by the seal of the confessional.