Ping!
and how many angels can dance on the head of a pin?
Any priest (assuming he is a Christian) would know under what circumstances to report something dreadful or possibly life threatening. OR better yet: TCOB himself.
BTW, there existed a Common Law Priest Penitent relationship, but it was not incorporated into US Law until the Special Prosecutor tried to subpoena President Nixon's Priest:
http://caselaw.lp.findlaw.com/scripts/getcase.pl?court=us&vol=445&invol=40
supreme.justia.com/us/445/40/case.html
Conversation with Le Bon Deiu are to be kept confidential.
If you haven’t seen it yet, the Hitchcock movie “I Confess” deals with this topic and is great.
The secrecy of a confession is morally absolute for the confessor, and must under no circumstances be broken.Evidently the circumstance of a judge telling a cleric that he'll be fined $1k per diem for contempt is, well, not a circumstance, because when THAT happens, the Episcopal Church rolls over.
Jerry: You iknow I talked to the rabbi outside. Understand you had a little talk with him too.
Elaine: Yeah, talked earlier.
Jerry: Yes I know, I know.
Elaine: He didn’t mention . . .
Jerry: Yes he did.
Elaine: He told you about our conversation?
Jerry: We had quite a little chat.
Elaine: He told you about . . .
Jerry: Yes, about how you’re very jealous of George. How you wished it was you who were getting married instead of him.
Elaine: He told you all that? How could he?
Jerry: It didn’t take much prodding either, I must say.
Elaine: Can he do that?
Jerry: He did it.
Elaine: But he’s a Rabbi! How can a Rabbi have such a big mouth?
Jerry: That’s what’s so fascinating.
I’m not an expert in Canon Law, but we were told in Catholic school by a priest that a priest cannot even acknowledge that a person went to him for confession. If he breaks the seal of the confessional, then the priest is not only defrocked, but also excommunicated. Like I said, I don’t know what Canon law actually says on this, but this is what the priest told us.
NO!
There is a new book out called “The Seal.” Haven’t read it yet, but I think it will be good. (By a priest I know.)
I have asked priests about this. It is one area whether young or old, liberal or “traditional” they seem to be in agreement. This is a sacred thing, the “seal of the confessional”. However, one priest told me what he could do is assign as penance that the person confess to the police and willingly accept his fair legal punishment. Or if there is not sincere repentance and intention to avoid sin, withhold absolution, perhaps advising the person to seek other help (such as counseling where the professional WOULD report to the police), or to confess first and then he will give absolution. The priest said it’s impossible to apply any formula, as 99 percent of people have the same old ordinary, usual sins and this does not come up, but in the rare occasion of a serious crime or potential for one, each situation is unique and he must be quite sensitive to how he could influence the person. This from a man a priest for over 60 years.
BTTT!