Case 32. A Useless Device

Caius and Paul, priests, serve the same mission. A certain penitent who until now has confessed to Paul comes to confess to Caius. Caius feels rather serious difficulties concerning the said penitent’s confessions and the proper manner of treating him. Since, however, Caius cannot converse with Paul outside confession about the penitent’s case because of the sacramental seal, in confession, after confessing his own sins, he discloses to Paul his difficulties concerning the said case and asks Paul’s advice. Hence it is asked:

1. What is the obligation of the seal of confession, and whence does it arise?

2. In what ways can it be violated?

3. What kind of sin is a violation of the seal?

4. Is it ever lawful to use knowledge obtained from confession?

5. What is to be said of the case?

The first question is answered above, p. 222, the second, p. 226, the third, p. 227, the fourth, p. 223.

5. The case. As Paulus would recognize the case at once, Caius was not at liberty to consult him either out of confession or in confession. The fact that Caius had made his confession did not give him permission to communicate to Paulus what he had heard in confession when Paulus would at once recognize who the penitent was. The seal is broken when two confessors speak together of the sins of a penitent of both of them.¹ Caius should have waited till he could consult some one who would not know the penitent.

1 Manual of Moral Theology, vol. ii, 232.