Philippine priest in unwed mum outburst faces sanctions
The priest’s outburst was uncharitable and rude; however, is he being censured because of a lack of tact or because he spoke a hard truth about the scandal of sin and the lack of shame today? Guilt is good and serves a purpose, when we are guilty. How else might there be repentance, conversion and amendment of life?
COURT RULES AGAINST SEAL OF CONFESSION
Baton Rouge Diocese Responds to Court Order to Break Seal of Confession
A priest is pledged to face imprisonment, torture or even death before breaking the seal of confession. He can neither affirm or deny what sins are told him. This is serious business. If the courts win, priests could be imprisoned even for the most spurious of allegations or cases, and they would not be able to defend themselves. Stealing gum or committing murder… the seal is the seal. It is a sacred element of the sacrament.
I have trained myself to forget most everything I hear. But (in response to a specific inquiry) the seal would not even allow a priest to say he forgot, for that would imply he heard something. If a priest did recall instances of abuse, murder, etc., he might also not know for sure who told him (behind a screen) or the sins of many might become confused in his mind. No matter if he heard something bad or not, all the priest can do is either remain silent or remind everyone that he is not at liberty to talk about any confessions… period. His silence cannot be taken to mean that he has any damaging knowledge. The seal goes way beyond the professional secrecy of lawyers and doctors. If the priest breaks the seal, he is immediately excommunicated, forfeits his faculties, faces laicization and suffers the prospect of eternal punishment in hell.
The priest may tell the penitent to turn himself in and to get professional help. But the priest would not necessarily delay absolution until such action is made. The priest can urge restitution but often only has the penitent’s word that such would be made. However, even if there is no absolution, the seal applies. Further, the priest risks breaking the seal if he brings up another’s sins again in another setting. He is forbidden to nag penitents after confession about what they should or should not do. Again, the priest must forget and keep the seal. No matter how terrible the sin, the seal is absolute. Anyone who overhears a confession is also under the seal. Recording a confession is a serious sin and breaks the seal. Generally, priests must treat the penitent after confession as if he knows nothing about secret sins. There is NO wiggle room. He can give no hints or insinuations. NOTHING! He cannot break the seal to spare a child, to save a life or to safeguard the Eucharist. He cannot act on anything he hears in the Confessional. For instance, “he cannot show by facial expression or lack of hospitality at a parish picnic that he knows you suffocated your ailing rich grandmother with a pillow.” (No one said that being a priest was easy.)
No Mass said in Mosul for first time in 1,600 years, says Archbishop
Christians are being crucified. 3,000 Christians from Mosul are running for their lives. No Mass this Sunday in Mosul, for the first time in 1,600 years! Do we really appreciate what is going on?
Justices: Can’t make employers cover contraception
Justice!
Commission Recommends Change in Marriage Discipline for Eastern Catholic Priests in U.S.
Left unsaid are repercussions for the Anglican usage Catholics who may also want freedom of their tradition in this regard. Like dominoes, with increased visibility and reunion, people are going to question mandatory celibacy in Roman Catholicism. If these married men can make good priests, people will naturally ask, why must our men have this option closed to them? It is a can of worms that I would never open. Can we make a better and more persuasive case for an exclusively celibate clergy? Can we show that such bests reflects the divine will for the developmental trajectory of holy orders?
Family Sues After Police Fatally Taser 95-Year-Old Man
What were they thinking? It breaks my heart.
Archbishop Sheen’s Reported Miracle Gets Second Vatican Approval
When it comes to miracles, Archbishop Sheen is no slouch… both during his mortal life and afterwards.
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