PATHOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -In the Catholic Church, the Seal of Confession (also known as the Seal of the Confessional or the Sacramental Seal) is the absolute duty of priests or anyone who happens to hear a confession not to disclose anything that they learn from penitents during the course of the Sacrament of Penance (confession).

Detailed explanation-2: -Given the delicacy and greatness of this ministry and the respect due to people every confessor, without any exception and under very severe penalties, is bound to maintain “the sacramental seal” which means absolute secrecy about the sins revealed to him in confession.

Detailed explanation-3: -The seal of Confession requires that the priest who hears the Confession must not, under any condition, reveal the confessed sins of the particular penitent.

Detailed explanation-4: -Moreover, contemporary Catholic canon law states that “the sacramental seal is inviolable; therefore it is absolutely forbidden for a confessor to betray in any way a penitent in words or in any manner and for any reason.” The penalty for purposefully violating this law is automatic excommunication.

Detailed explanation-5: -This seal means that any sins confessed to a priest in the context of the sacrament are absolutely private and cannot be disclosed to anyone for any reason. The seal is of great spiritual benefit to those who go to Confession.