The Seal of Confession and The Virtue of Religion

The Hermeneutic of Continuity ^ | 8/17/11 | Fr. Tim Finnigan

[marshmallow]

So why is the seal of confession inviolable? Why does the seal bind under such a grave obligation that the Church excommunicates any confessor who directly violates it? (See: The seal of confession: some basics)

There are two principal reasons why the priest must preserve the seal: the virtue of justice and the virtue of religion. The motive of justice is evident because the penitent, by the very fact of entering the confessional, or asking the priest to hear his confession (we’ll deal with “reconciliation rooms” another day) rightly expects that the priest will observe the seal. This is a contract entered into by the fact of the priest agreeing to hear a person’s confession. To mandate the violation of the seal is in effect to prohibit the celebration of the sacrament of Penance.

Much more grave than the obligation of justice towards the penitent is the obligation of religion due to the sacrament. The Catholic Encyclopaedia gives a brief explanation of the virtue of religion which essentially summarises the teaching of St Thomas Aquinas. (Summa Theologica 2a 2ae q.81) Religion is a moral virtue by which we give to God what is His due; it is, as St Thomas says, a part of justice. In the case of the sacrament of Penance, instituted by Christ, Fr Felix Cappello explains things well [my translation]:

By the very fact that Christ permitted, nay ordered, that all baptised sinners should use the sacrament and consequently make a secret confession, he granted an absolutely inviolable right, transcending the order of natural justice, to use this remedy. Therefore the knowledge which was their own before confession, after the communication made in confession, remains their own for every non-sacramental use, and that by a power altogether sacred, which no contrary human law can strike out, since every human law is of an inferior order: whence this right cannot be taken away or overridden by any means, or any pretext, or any motive.

The penitent confesses his sins to God through the priest. If the seal were to be broken under some circumstances, it would put people off the sacrament and thereby prevent them from receiving the grace that they need in order to repent and amend their lives. It would also, and far more importantly, obstruct the will of God for sinners to make use of the sacrament of Penance and thereby enjoy eternal life. The grace of the sacrament is absolutely necessary for anyone who commits a mortal sin. To mandate the violation of the seal is in effect to prohibit the practice of the Catholic faith. Some secular commentators have spoken of the seal of confession as being somehow a right or privilege of the priest. That is a preposterous misrepresentation: it is a sacred and inviolable duty that the priest must fulfil for the sake of the penitent and for the sake of God's will to redeem sinners.

A possibly misleading phrase in this context is where theologians say that the penitent is confessing his sins as if to God "ut Deo." (You can easily imagine secularists deriding the idea that the priest makes himself to be a god etc.) In truth, the penitent is confessing his sins before God. The priest acts as the minister of Christ in a sacred trust which he may not violate for any cause - precisely because he is not in fact God. By virtue of the penitent’s confession ut Deo, the priest absolves the penitent and, if mortal sin is involved, thereby readmits him to Holy Communion.

There will be more to follow on the sacrament of confession. As I mentioned in my previous post, this series is not intended as a guide for making a devout confession but rather as an introduction to some canonical and theological questions regarding the sacrament which have become important recently. (For a leaflet on how to make a good confession, see my parish website.)

I have been told that the threat in Ireland to introduce a law compelling priests to violate the seal of confession has been withdrawn, at least for the time being. Nevertheless, I will continue with these posts because I think that the Irish proposal will be picked up by other secularists and may pose a problem for us. Further posts will look at the proper place, time and vesture for hearing confessions, one or two more particular crimes in canon law, the question of jurisdiction and the much misused expression “Ecclesia supplet”, and, of course, what to do if the civil authority tries to compel a priest to break the seal.

[Iscool]

If they are so clearly understood why are there so many, many interpretations of those clearly understood letters?

Well these are easily answered questions...Don't you have any difficult ones???

English has become the most common language of the world...The only English bible that can be traced back to the time of the Apostles in the area where Jesus taught and folks were first called Christians is the King James Bible...It has been the standard for 400 years...

ALL other English speaking bibles since the KJV come from Africa...The Catholic line...Over 200 of 'em...Each one claiming to be more accurate that the last...Each one trying to improve on the KJV to no avail...And you can bet they are not done yet...

Why is it that the disagreements over their meanings have resulted in the murder of tens of millions of alleged "Christians" by other Christians.

It's never been over what the scriptures mean...It has always been over the refusal of Christians to bow down to your religion and your pope...

Why are there an ever increasing number of denominations who disagree over issues of interpretation doctrine and dogma?

There really isn't...But there are groups Just like you adding words to scripture to make it mean something it doesn't say...Lot of people don't like what the scriptures say so they add to it or take away from it...Rarely however a doctrinal issue...

The rejection of a teaching authority has only resulted in a Balkanization of Christianity that worsens every day.

The teaching authority is the Holy Spirit...As we know, you guys rejected THAT teaching authority and follow your own man made authority...

even so-called educated and tolerant modern American Christians who frequent these forums almost come to blows over the actual meanings of these "clearly understandable" letters.

Has very little to do with what the scriptures say...It has to do with the false notion that your man made tradition ranks right up with and beyond the inspired, written word of Almighty God...

[Iscool]

Canon 9. If anyone says that the sinner is justified by faith alone, meaning that nothing else is required to cooperate in order to obtain the grace of justification, and that it is not in any way necessary that he be prepared and disposed by the action of his own will, let him be anathema.

They've been denying this right along, while knowing I presume what was determined at Trent...This IS their Church teaching...

[boatbums]

How do you or anyone know that you "hath the witness in himself."?

Because as the verse says in I John 5:10 Anyone who believes in the Son of God has this testimony in his heart. How we know is based on how we believe. If we believe the witness God gave about Jesus Christ, then we have that witness in our hearts. John goes on to proclaim that I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life. (I John 5:13). So not only has God given us the witness of his son, but when we believe God he tells us we can KNOW we have eternal life.

So, if you have the Son, you have life, if you do not have the Son, you do not have life, but the wrath of God stays on you. (John 3:36)

[smvoice]

This makes me angrier than anything else that happens around here. They KNOW what they are taught..and yet deny it until WE post the catechism paragraph. It happens over and over. If a person believes something, why deny it? Why try to hide it until it is posted? Unless they really don’t know and are just following a list of do’s and don’ts without ever actually studying their beliefs. Which is actually worse than a flat-out denial.

[Iscool]

Why shouldn't someone be given a "word of knowledge". I don't know how one can think about this stuff. Believe or not, I guess.

Well you could be right...A Jehovah Witness stopped over today and told me I would be talking to you tonight...He told me that if I could convince you to join their group, that you'd live another 45 years...

Course it's up to you what you want to do...

[Iscool]

International Standard Version (©2008)
to be a minister of the Messiah Jesus to the gentiles in the priestly service of the gospel of God, so that the offering brought by gentiles may acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit.

GOD'S WORD® Translation (©1995)
to be a servant of Christ Jesus to people who are not Jewish. I serve as a priest by spreading the Good News of God. I do this in order that I might bring the nations to God as an acceptable offering, made holy by the Holy Spirit.

How do you suppose they come up with so many different words and phrases from the same Greek Texts???

[Iscool]

Oh my!! Nice catch Iscool! Obviously we even need to check the very text they use on a consistent basis. Have we asked what version of scripture was used? Are they even being deceived at that level?

Most definately...Their newest 'official' Catholic bible, the New American Bible is rife with nonsense that doesn't exist in any Greek or Hebrew manuscript...

[Iscool]

Is this a textual issue or a translation issue? It’s not just the NAB that has the “priestly” stuff in it, but I’m a little at sea in the KOINE since all by books are currently packed up.

To my knowledge, the phrase doesn't exist in the manuscripts used for the KJV...Whether it does exist in the Catholic manuscripts I can't recollect at the moment without hunting for it...

[boatbums]

God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen,
Let nothing you dismay;
Remember Christ, our Saviour,
Was born on Christmas day,
To save us all from Satan’s power
When we were gone astray.
O tidings of comfort and joy,
Comfort and joy,
O tidings of comfort and joy.

In Bethlehem, in Jewry,
This blessed Babe was born,
And laid within a manger,
Upon this blessed morn;
That which His Mother Mary,
Did nothing take in scorn.
O tidings of comfort and joy,
Comfort and joy,
O tidings of comfort and joy.

From God our Heavenly Father,
A blessed Angel came;
And unto certain Shepherds
Brought tidings of the same:
How that in Bethlehem was born
The Son of God by Name.
O tidings of comfort and joy,
Comfort and joy,
O tidings of comfort and joy.

“Fear not,” then said the Angel,
“let nothing you affright,
This day is born a Saviour
Of pure Virgin bright,
To free all those who trust in Him
From Satan’s power and might.”
O tidings of comfort and joy,
Comfort and joy,
O tidings of comfort and joy.

The shepherds at those tidings
Rejoiced much in mind,
And left their flocks a-feeding,
In tempest, storm, and wind:
And went to Bethlehem straightway,
The Son of God to find.
O tidings of comfort and joy,
Comfort and joy,
O tidings of comfort and joy.

And when they came to Bethlehem
Where our dear Saviour lay,
They found Him in a manger,
Where oxen feed on hay;
His Mother Mary kneeling down,
Unto the Lord did pray.
O tidings of comfort and joy,
Comfort and joy,
O tidings of comfort and joy.

Now to the Lord sing praises,
All you within this place,
And with true love and brotherhood
Each other now embrace;
This holy tide of Christmas
All other doth deface.
O tidings of comfort and joy,
Comfort and joy,
O tidings of comfort and joy.

[boatbums]

When I come to heaven I will say, "Take what is yours; I have nothing of my own to give you, gracious Lord. I am unprofitable, but full of wonder, love, and gratitude, which you, in your astounding generosity gave me to feel and enjoy."

Wonderfully said. So, may I conclude that, unlike your fellow few on this forum, you assert you ARE saved by the grace of God? Can I, or anyone else, conclude that you believe we can know we have eternal life right now? Because it sounds to me like you believe the Gospel of salvation by grace through faith alone (though it is not a faith which is alone). When those who condemn us for the "sin of presumption" by saying we believe God saves us by his grace and we KNOW we have eternal life, do you stand with us in asserting this IS our actual standing in Christ?

[Natural Law]

"How do you suppose they come up with so many different words and phrases from the same Greek Texts???"

Because translation isn't as simple as word substitution from a concordance. These translations are all put together by highly educated and intelligent groups of scholars and yet they all find room for disagreement. The language, culture, history of the people and persons, trends of the time, traditions, superstitions, fables, humor, biases, contemporary writings and a host of other considerations are required to understand the intent of the author.

All of this only underscores the need for the Magisterium.

[D-fendr]

Thanks for your reply.

Perhaps I can be clearer:

How do you know you have the witness in yourself?

I can see the reverse logic: if you believe in the name of the Son of God, therefore you have the witness in yourself.

However, do you realize/know/experience the “witness in yourself”? Also, specific to this instance, is the “believe” an intellectual assent? Choosing to believe?

I.e., how do you know you believe, and how far into, or back, do you walk this belief? E.g., “Son of God” - in what sense? God as defined or known as?. Etc...

[metmom]

This one especially....

Hark! The Herald Angels Sing

Hark the herald angels sing
“Glory to the newborn King!
Peace on earth and mercy mild
God and sinners reconciled”
Joyful, all ye nations rise
Join the triumph of the skies
With the angelic host proclaim:
“Christ is born in Bethlehem”
Hark! The herald angels sing
“Glory to the newborn King!”

Christ by highest heav’n adored
Christ the everlasting Lord!
Late in time behold Him come
Offspring of a Virgin’s womb
Veiled in flesh the Godhead see
Hail the incarnate Deity
Pleased as man with man to dwell
Jesus, our Emmanuel
Hark! The herald angels sing
“Glory to the newborn King!”

Hail the heav’n-born Prince of Peace!
Hail the Son of Righteousness!
Light and life to all He brings
Ris’n with healing in His wings
Mild He lays His glory by
Born that man no more may die
Born to raise the sons of earth
Born to give them second birth
Hark! The herald angels sing
“Glory to the newborn King!”

[Natural Law]

"The only English bible that can be traced back to the time of the Apostles in the area where Jesus taught and folks were first called Christians is the King James Bible"

You are funny. There was no England or English in the 2nd and 3rd century. The King James Bible was produced by a committee in the 17th century in a process not unlike Justin's Vulgate on which they drew as a reference and which it sought to replace. It must be noted that although it is widely accepted today, the King james Version was rejected and criticized by many Protestant scholars at the time of it's introduction.

[Uri’el-2012]

Uri'el-2012> May you seek the face of YHvH in His WORD

I see His face at Adoration completely and invite you to do the same.

All protestants are welcome at Adoration- Let me know if I can show you where to go in your area?

Perhaps I'm mistaken,
but isn't this where a stale matzoh is placed
in a fancy gold device and held aloft.

Is this the "church" who's "god" is a stale Matzoh ?

You shall not make for yourself an idol,
whether in the form of anything that is in heaven above,
or that is on the earth beneath,
or that is in the water under the earth.
You shall not bow down to them or worship them;
for I the LORD your God am a jealous God,
punishing children for the iniquity of parents,
to the third and fourth generation of those who reject me,
but showing steadfast love to the thousandth generation
of those who love me and keep my commandments."

I guess this worship of the man-made Matzoh
somehow does not violate the above Commandment.

shalom b'SHEM Yah'shua HaMashiach

[Uri’el-2012]

Uri'el-2012> Shabbat Shalom

May you seek the face of YHvH
on this Shabbat in His WORD.

The Torah reading for this week is

Deuteronomy 11:26-16:17

I've brought you today to the crossroads of Blessing and Curse.

NL>"I've brought you today to the crossroads of Blessing and Curse."

NL>Don't flatter yourself.

Another example of breathtaking ignorance of the WORD of Elohim.

Deuteronomy 11:26 I've brought you today to the crossroads of Blessing and Curse.

Deuteronomy 11:27 The Blessing: if you listen obediently to the commandments of YHvH,
your God, which I command you today.

Deuteronomy 11:28 The Curse: if you don't pay attention to the commandments of YHvH,
your God, but leave the road that I command you today,
following other gods of which you know nothing.

shalom b'SHEM Yah'shua HaMashiach

[boatbums]

However, do you realize/know/experience the “witness in yourself”? Also, specific to this instance, is the “believe” an intellectual assent? Choosing to believe?

I.e., how do you know you believe, and how far into, or back, do you walk this belief? E.g., “Son of God” - in what sense? God as defined or known as?. Etc...

I think you may be making this harder than it is. Jesus himself said whosoever believes HAS eternal life and he didn't get into a big. long discussion on what he meant by "believe". You ask, "How do you know you believe?", I would answer, "How do you know you love your wife/spouse or children?". You just know you do. You know you do because of a number of reasons such as what you are willing to do for them to be safe, happy and sure of your love.

We know we believe in Christ because we have the same desires to please God. The natural, sinful, unregenerated man has no such desire for the things of God, neither can he know because he has not been internally changed. His heart is stone where it comes to God. Now, if your wife demanded you show your love to her in only her way or else she would leave you, you may not have the right kind of love towards her because your doing things for her would not be based on your giving and showing her genuine love, but more out of fear of losing her. If do what we are told God demands of us and we believe if we don't we will go to an eternity in Hell, then is our living for him based on the right motive? Is this the kind of love and obedience God demands or wants from us or do you think he desires we do for him out of love - genuine love?

Does he love us because we first loved him, or is the other way around?

I John 4:19 We love him, because he first loved us.

[Running On Empty]

bb: “...and we believe if we don’t we will go to an eternity in Hell, then is our living for him (Him) based on the right motive?”

This is not what an authentic, faithful Catholic believes, though it is so often presented as such. We know that-—as we pray these words at Mass: “all life and all holiness comes from You by the working of the Holy Spirit”.

Life in God means Gift and Response, not a contract. More of us believe that than it seems to be presented by some here.

I believe that.

My response to the total love that God has for me is: Yes, Lord. Be it done to me according to thy word. In good times and in bad times.

There is a soft chant sung in my church at Communion time; the melody is beautiful and these are the words:

Take Oh take me as I am
Summon up what I can be
Put Your seal upon my heart
and live in me.”

May God bless us all.

ROE

[Mad Dawg]

do you stand with us in asserting this IS our actual standing in Christ?

Wow. You're going to make me research this aren't you?

In all seriositude, I've been fine with saying Dominic, Terese, many martyrs, and I suppose others have died with confidence in God's love. And as I have said many times, both Dominic and Terese actually spoke about how they would be more helpful in heaven than on earth.

How to make a systematic statement is harder for me.

Lewis's Aslan would say that's somebody else's story.

[metmom]

However, do you realize/know/experience the “witness in yourself”? Also, specific to this instance, is the “believe” an intellectual assent? Choosing to believe?

That's a very valid question, however.

There IS a difference between intellectual assent and the kind of belief/faith that results in salvation.

James says, (James 2:19) You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder!

Many people acknowledge the existence of God and at times maybe even do things that they think might appease Him if they feel guilty about something they have done. But as Jesus said, many will come claiming to have done great things in His name and He will declare that He NEVER knew them.

Perhaps the best example of saving faith is demonstrated by this parable.

Luke 18:9-14 9He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and treated others with contempt: 10"Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: 'God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.' 13But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, 'God, be merciful to me, a sinner!' 14I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted."

I know that there is controversy among Protestants over the idea of free will, however, when God offers us the gift of salvation, one must choose to receive it. Intellectually acknowledging it isn't enough. It's a choice to trust. That's what I think that most of us essentially mean by faith.

So, yes, I will show my faith by my works, not that I work to complete my faith, but rather that my faith is demonstrated to be genuine by the works which follow my conversion. The works are simply the result of my faith and show that saving faith was exercised.

The problem is, that people can also DO similar kinds of works, thinking that it is earning them points with God and that can bring confusion for someone who does not really understand what Scripture has to say about the place of works in the life of the believer.

Works are expected to follow belief and if they don't, that person needs to take a good hard look at what they are really thinking of believing.

I remember a friend we had from another community who was saved in one of these dramatic conversions. He was saved out of a terrible situation. He was very rough around the edges and was constantly criticized by the *good* church people for his short comings. However, he truly loved the Lord, and tried as much as was within him to do the right thing out of that love. Sure, he didn't measure up to someone who had been raised in a Christian home, but IMO, he made light-years more progress spiritually that those who judged and criticized him.

His works weren't perfect, far from it, and he knew that. He would have fallen short in almost everyone's *works* book. But his heart was right and he showed far more unconditional love towards others than the rest who condemned him.

I think it's not a matter of where we are compared to others, as much as where we are compared to where we started from.