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by Adam Buckley on December 29th, 2005

Adam Buckley

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If a murderer confesses to a priest, why does the priest not tell anyone?

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  • by Jan Szafranski on January 5th, 2006

    Jan Szafranski

    A murderer doesn't actually confess TO a priest... (s)he confesses THROUGH a priest. As the dialogue is between God and the criminal the priest doesn't have the right to tell the authorities. As an arbiter, the priest can only stongly advise the criminal to go to the police, Remember that the confessional is there to help the individual seek forgiveness from God... or else end up in Hell. This is the priest's concern... the crim's life after death. If the priest 'turns him/her in' then the crim cannot atone and not be able to get into Heaven... it's upto the criminal to do what is right in order to start on the journey towards salvation, not for the priest tpo deny him/her that opportunity.

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    • Yep

      Truth Monger

      by Truth Monger on March 10th, 2006

    • Civil law recognizes the priest-penitent privileged communication for ALL crimes, not just murder, and also most communication between attorney-client, physician-patient, counselor-counselee, AND husband-wife.
      The priest is bound by one of the most solemn obligations in Church Law not to reveal a confession directly or indirectly.
      That one sole place of absolute trust is even more ungent today when even formerly highly respected media outlets pass on "Gossip" as professional journalism 24/7 with total disregard for Truth, constitutional rights such as to privacy, due process, innocent until proven guilty. Some psychiatrists and others have disclosed confidential data on high profile cases, and we know about the leaks from Government, Law Enforcement and others do to the public trust under cover of the First Amendment which is supposed to be tempered by the others but often ignored. Rights are ALWAYS expected to be circumscribed by the Gospel/ Commandments for believers!

      barjacob

      by barjacob on December 12th, 2006

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