Australian Priest Excommunicated for Breaching the Seal of the Confessional

Aletaia ^ | 2/10/18 | Aymeric Pourbaix

[marshmallow]

The excommunication, which is automatic in this case, was approved by the Holy See

After two years of investigation, the Holy See decided to excommunicate a priest in Australia, the British Daily Mail reported today. The investigation revealed Father Ezinwanne Igbo had broken the Seal of the Confessional–the absolute duty of priests not to disclose anything that they learn from penitents in the Sacrament of Penance.

The facts, which go back to 2016, led to the opening of an investigation based on a dozen complaints against Father Igbo.

Originally from Nigeria, he was a priest at the Stella Maris Parish in Queensland.

The excommunication, which is automatic in this case, was approved by the Holy See, according to a statement from the Archdiocese of Brisbane (Australia), dated February 7.

The sentence provides that the priest can no longer participate in public worship, nor celebrate or receive the sacraments. The sanction, however, can be lifted by the pope.

The lifting of the Seal of the Confessional was one of 189 requests in the December 2017 report on pedophile crimes committed in Australia.

[Bobalu]

The Seal of the Confessional must not be breached!

Years ago I used to do marriage counseling under the auspices of the Church, I was informed that the same sort of rules applied to what I heard.

I was not a Catholic, but a priest asked me to do counseling, and based on our friendship, I agreed.

[MrEdd]

I am for dropping pedophiles into the depths of the sea attatched to a millstone.

I don’t have any problems whatsoever about dropping their accessories into the depths with them.
All of them.
No exceptions.

[Bobalu]

I understand...but I still am uncomfortable with breaching the confessional....slippery slope.

[HapaxLegamenon]

I am sorry, but the article implies more than it says. It say this priest has violated the seal of the confessional. Then it says that “lifting the seal was one of 189 request of investigation into pedophilia.”

Nothing in the article presents evidence that this priest was a pedophile, was hiding a pedophile or that the seal he broke had anything to do with pedophilia or abuse of minors.

[Marchmain]

Australia courts and maybe laws by now require a priest to answer qurstions in a child abuse case, including about the child, perp, etc, who gave info IN confessional. Some priests refuse to divulge any confessionl material, as should be, but not all due to govt pressure

[HapaxLegamenon]

I don’t see how making a priest testify about what he heard in the confessional complies with the rules of evidence. In most cases, the penitent can confess anonymously. The priest is forbidden to inquiry after someone’s indentity.

This means the court is asking the priest to guess (speculate) which penitent confessed which crime or that the priest simply trusts that when Jim Beam volunteered that he was Donald Duck that he was telling the truth.

[pygonza]

The article says there were over a dozen complaints about Fr Igbo that were made. Not all of these complaints were about breaking the confessional seal. Igbo’s attorney said the Church brought 12 charges against Fr. Igbo. The breaking of the confessional seal was the only charge resulting in automatic excommunication. It is implied that some of the other charges involved sexual misconduct.

[Marchmain]

In the most renowned case it went differently than that. An abused girl’s parents told authorities that the child said she went to confession to said priest on said day, and therein mentioned to the priest the name of her abuser, specifically asking him not to reveal it. (This confessor oriest is not an abuser.) The abuse came out later snd parents and authorities are demanding priest tell them what girl said. He of course refuses, citing Seal. Not sure if THIS story is same situation. Also, quite surprised you are surprised at a left-leaning govt and society wants to pressure the Church. Will be happening in USA too.