杏MAP导航

By Devin Watkins

The Apostolic Penitentiary released the 鈥淣ote on the importance of the internal forum and the inviolability of the Sacramental Seal鈥� on Monday.

Approved for publication by 杏MAP导航 Francis on 21 June, the upholds the absolute inviolability of the Seal of Confession, meaning that priests can never be forced to reveal what they learn in the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

鈥淭he inviolable secrecy of Confession derives directly from revealed divine law and is rooted in the very nature of the sacrament, to the point of admitting no exception in the ecclesial or, even less so, in the civil sphere. In the celebration of the Sacrament of Reconciliation, in fact, the very essence of Christianity itself and of the Church is encapsulated: the Son of God became man to save us, and He decided to involve the Church, as a 鈥渘ecessary instrument鈥� in this work of salvation, and, in her, those whom He has chosen, called, and constituted as His ministers,鈥� the Note reads.

Violation of religious freedom

Any political or legislative pressure to override this sacramental seal, it continues, would be 鈥渁n unacceptable offense鈥� against the Church鈥檚 freedom, which comes from God and not human institutions, and would be 鈥渁 violation of religious freedom鈥�. 鈥淰iolation of the Seal would equal a violation of the poor person that is within the sinner.鈥�

Priests, the Note reads, should therefore defend the Seal of Confession even to the point of shedding blood, both as an act of loyalty to the penitent and as a witness 鈥� martyrium 鈥� to the unique and universal salvation of Christ and the Church.

Media frenzy

Cardinal Mauro Piacenza, Major Penitentiary of the Apostolic Penitentiary, who signed the Note with Msgr. Krzysztof Nykiel, the Regent, released a statement to explain the Note鈥檚 content.

He said the Note comes in response to the media-centric nature of modern society, which he said is more interested in getting the story out than verifying the facts. 鈥淓verything today is in view; everything must be known,鈥� he said.

杏MAP导航 Francis, he noted, , 鈥淭he internal forum is an internal forum, and it cannot go 鈥榦utside鈥�.鈥� It is a sin against the dignity of the person who trusts the priest, and who expresses his or own situation to ask for forgiveness鈥�.

鈥楴egative prejudice鈥�

The Note also contests a 鈥渨orrying 鈥榥egative prejudice鈥� against the Catholic Church in society.

In an interview with Vatican Radio, Cardinal Piacenza said there is 鈥渁n unjustifiable pretense that the Church should, in some manner, conform her juridical system to the civil laws of States where she operates鈥� We must work with [the State], in everything that is not the sacramental forum.鈥�

The goal in releasing the note, said Cardinal Piacenza, is 鈥渢o instill greater trust, especially in these times, in penitents who come to confess themselves鈥� and ultimately to advance the cause of the sacrifice of Christ who came to take away the sins of the world.鈥�