Can Forumosa disclose your identity to the authorities?

Quick google search. Page 1.

https://www.wsj.com/articles/vatican-hits-back-at-attempts-to-break-confession-secrecy-11561987796

https://www.wsj.com/articles/new-laws-require-priests-to-break-the-seal-of-confession-1533303462

https://www.wsj.com/articles/australian-bishops-reject-reporting-sexual-abuse-revealed-in-confession-1535703402

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For example

Nice one, sainted martyrs. I want evidence of catholic priests being tortured to death in the recent thirty years, not some character from 1301. :sweat_smile:

It’s stunning right?

I suppose I shouldn’t hike the Adirondacks due to the saber tooth tigers.

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In any situation, how often is there clear evidence of torture? Good luck…

I think it is better to assume that they, like most folks, will give up under pressure once it becomes too extreme. The skill of the psycho torturer to to delay death long enough.

No one is going to get an answer they like. Best to just assume you can’t trust a priest with yoru secret…or a forum lol.

People that think otherwise are probably just feeling guilty and want a way out but are too weak to do it themselves

You just changed the goal posts! I answered your original question. It’s not Rumplestiltskin.

Basically correct. I’m not sure about the doctor bit.

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Who was asking for evidence of catholic priests being tortured etc as proof that the Vatican doesn’t retain its position?

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Quoting Canon 983.1 of the Code of Canon Law, the Catechism states, “…It is a crime for a confessor in any way to betray a penitent by word or in any other manner or for any reason” (#2490)

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Which countries are bound by Catholic law now?

Why not search for priests who were prosecuted for withholding information about criminal acts?

Who cares what the made up laws of the leftover Holy Roman Empire say?

It matters because that priest’s career will be over. Excommunication means they lose their priesthood too.

The Vatican does not care what the country’s law allows or not.

In secular terms, it’s as bad as lawyers getting disbarred or doctors losing their license. Unless there’s seriously good reason for them to (like life or death), they won’t break those.

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There’s no seal of the confessional here, mind you. As soon as I see a rusty lug wrench or something, it’s over.

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I wonder if that phrase/idea could be used to start a novel.

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Nobody is forcing anyone to confess.

I’m sure the Catholic Church doesn’t like it, but I’m sure their policy is to cooperate with the law if there is a lawful court order.

Of course, there might be Catholic countries out there that have special laws that forbid the courts from trying to obtain confession information from priests.

It would have to be something outside of confessions. Catholic’s position on this is quite clear. Confessions are sacred and they are not to disclose confessions under any circumstance. Now if someone’s life is in danger or some such where there’s harm in not disclosing, and the priest is willing to risk excommunication for this, then he might do it anyways and try to get the pope to forgive him.

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So they believe they are above the law? Not many churches have this stance.

In this instance, yes they are above the law. I believe there’s a saint who actually was tortured and murdered by the king for refusing to reveal confessions.

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A king? When was the last time a king tried to reveal confessions?

I’m talking about the church’s modern day policy, and I’m talking about democratically appointed courts. Not kings.

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As far as I know the policy hasn’t changed. The canon law states that confessions cannot be revealed for ANY reason.

I think if it’s life and death some priests may be willing to be excommunicated and petition for the Pope to forgive him, but their stance is clear.

Democratically appointed court doesn’t mean they’re incorruptible.

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I highly doubt that one of the world’s largest churches hasn’t changed their policy on this after hundreds of years.

Of course, most advanced countries have laws that forbid the courts from seeking information that was obtained in a confidential setting, unless someone’s life is in immediate danger. But the Catholic Church certainly does not enjoy exclusive privileges. If there is such a law, it usually applies to all churches in addition to other types of confidential settings like therapy sessions.