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To: FourtySeven; NYer
According to NYer in post 1:
“However, a priest may ask the penitent for a release from the sacramental seal to discuss the confession with the person himself or others.”

He is stating Canon law and interpretation in most of his post above, so I think NYer has it right.

If the victim and her family are taking this to court, then it seems like she would have released the priest from the sacramental seal. So the only reason, I can see that the priest is hiding behind the sacramental seal is because he doesn't want to incriminate himself. If the victim granted a release, if I was on the jury, I would find for the victim.

97 posted on 09/08/2014 7:01:26 AM PDT by FR_addict
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To: FR_addict
Right but read past that portion you are quoting to the portion I quoted. Again it's:

"Or if a priest needs guidance from a more experienced confessor to deal with a difficult case of conscience, he first must ask the permission of the penitent to discuss the matter. Even in this case, the priest must keep the identity of the person secret."

So yes "permission" can be given to discuss the confession with others but (and this is the key point): only if the identity of the person who made the confession is kept secret. This isn't possible now since the young woman's identity is known.

So there is now no way Father can discuss the confession, or even confirmed it occured, no matter how much permission is given.

98 posted on 09/08/2014 7:23:59 AM PDT by FourtySeven (47)
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