Laity and the Seal of the Confessional

[theculturewarrior]

Are laity bound to the Seal of the Confessional, or is that just priests. If so, is it only our sins that are bound to it?

For example, if a prist is rude or touchy feely, can we talk about that?

If a layman is rude, can the priest talk about that?

Thanks!

[Cam42]

[quote name='theculturewarrior' date='Sep 14 2005, 11:45 AM']Are laity bound to the Seal of the Confessional, or is that just priests. If so, is it only our sins that are bound to it?

For example, if a prist is rude or touchy feely, can we talk about that?

If a layman is rude, can the priest talk about that?

Thanks!
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We are bound just as the priest is, based upon the seal, so if you happen to overhear a confession, then you are bound to keep those things secret.

This goes so far as to say that you cannot approach the person whose confession that you overheard.

If a priest hears a confession, finds something deviant enough that he would wish to seek counsel, he must approach the person and literally ask permission to speak about something heard in confession. If the pentitent says no, then the matter is closed, end of story.

A priest cannot divulge any particulars about a confession, so if a person is rude in the confessional, the answer is no, he cannot. Usually rudeness would lead to some sort of lack of contrition, so absolution may or may not be given, unless the contrition is forthright. (That is how it has been explained to me, by a priest.)