309. Is a confessor bound to secrecy?

309. Is a confessor bound to secrecy?      

(Comp 309) Given the delicacy and greatness of this ministry and the respect due to people every confessor, without any exception and under very severe penalties, is bound to maintain “the sacramental seal” which means absolute secrecy about the sins revealed to him in confession. 

 “In brief”

(CCC 2511) "The sacramental seal is inviolable" ( CIC, can. 983 § 1). Professional secrets must be kept. Confidences prejudicial to another are not to be divulged. 

To deepen and explain

(CCC 1467) Given the delicacy and greatness of this ministry and the respect due to persons, the Church declares that every priest who hears confessions is bound under very severe penalties to keep absolute secrecy regarding the sins that his penitents have confessed to him. He can make no use of knowledge that confession gives him about penitents' lives (Cf. CIC, can. 1388 § 1; CCEO, can. 1456). This secret, which admits of no exceptions, is called the "sacramental seal," because what the penitent has made known to the priest remains "sealed" by the sacrament.  

On reflection

 (CCC 2490) The secret of the sacrament of reconciliation is sacred, and cannot be violated under any pretext. "The sacramental seal is inviolable; therefore, 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" (CIC, Can. 983 § 1).  

(Next question: What are the effects of this sacrament?)