Posted on 01/27/2006 8:26:48 AM PST by NYer
He's a Catholic Priest who has committed a sacrilege.
The priest can insist, using the strongest terms, that the person in the confessional should tell the authorities himself; but the priest cannot do so.
Our priests and bishops are sure to give your personal interpretation of Scripture all the consideration it is due. Thank you for weighing in on this matter.
It wil be interesting to see what is left of New Hampshire once this chases the adherent Catholics out. Do these nit wits think the Church would stand for this? Who would go to confession with "yeah but" strings on them?
There is no Biblical support for the seal of the confessional. It is simply a doctrine of the RCC.
A poor case can be made for the Sacrament of Confession, but such a thing is not laid out specifically anywhere in the New Testament. The only passage that even comes close is one in John.
But, the seal of the confessional is purely a doctrinal issue, a tradition of the Catholic Church.
It is very, very unlikely that any law forcing priests to break the seal will be passed, nor would such a law be upheld by the justice system. That's just not going to happen.
Still, there is precedent for our government to override religious beliefs and practices. The case of polygyny in the early LDS church is a good example. A religious group could also not practice human sacrifice, even if it was part of their doctrine.
However, we have a long judicial history of allowing religious organizations to do things that would otherwise be prohibited. Animal sacrifices is one, and refusal to take oaths is another.
I do not see any circumstances where the seal of the confessional will be legislated out of existence.
Per above I stand corrected. What I was trying to express in fewer words was a man of faith would try to bring the criminal to light and protect the child to the best of his ability, however, all that effort might be in vain because of the liberal courts in place.
You know, abuse of Freedom to Worship is the wind beneath ACLU's wings.
Big enough tragedy would give them enough support to assault fifth Ammendment.
You may do as you wish. You'll note that I'm not in favor of laws breaking the seal of confession. Not at all. However, there is no Biblical support for it. If you can find some, I'd be interested in knowing.
"Big enough tragedy would give them enough support to assault fifth Ammendment"
It's not really the Fifth Amendment that's in question here. It's the First. I can't see any circumstances where the seal of the confessional will be broken through legislation. It's just too old a privilege.
Did I defend Islam and attack Catholicsm?
I think its time for you to change your prescription.
What if its not official 'confession'. But something that came up in private conversation?
"What if its not official 'confession'. But something that came up in private conversation?"
Confession in the Catholic Church is a specific thing...a sacrament. Private conversations not in a formal confession are not protected, as far as I know.
However, the seal of the confessional is also available to non-Catholics, if the pastor involved agrees with the principle.
There's lots of case law on this subject.
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