Author Topic: Confession Question (Read 1091 times)

Dolores · « **on:** October 19, 2013, 10:41:38 AM »

I went to Confession today, and when I arrived, I was third in line. First in line was a middle-aged woman, and second was an elderly man. When the woman went into the confessional, she spoke in a very loud voice, and I could hear everything she was saying. The elderly man did nothing; he had hearing aids, so he was likely hard of hearing. On my part, I kept backing up, further and further away, until I couldn't understand what was beig said. The priest spoke in a low voice, so I couldn't hear him.

When it came to be my turn, I didn't mention anything to the priest, as I thought it was in inappropriate to mention something like that during a Sacrament, and I really didn't think I committed a sin.

What do you think?

soulguard · « **Reply #1 on:** October 19, 2013, 10:47:59 AM »

Sometimes when I go to confession to an elderly priest, he sits in the benches not far from other people in the church. He refuses to walk down a few aisles to have less people around, so if you want to confess to him you have to whisper, and he is hard of hearing. Other people who are nearby usually have the decency to up and leave so they don't hear what is said.
If the priest is responsible for breaking the seal, its his problem, even though your privacy was infringed. If someone making a confession does it then the decent thing to do is respect their privacy. Not much you can do in situations like that.

Frances · « **Reply #2 on:** October 19, 2013, 11:05:40 AM »

:scratchchin:
You did the right thing in moving away. I'm sure the elderly man with hearing aids would have moved back also, if he'd heard anything! It wasn't necessary to mention it to the priest. I believe there is a law of some sort binding a person who accidently overhears a confession to secrecy. But even if there isn't, charity would require it. If this woman is consistently "broadcasting" from the confessional, it could be because she is hard of hearing, or is simply unaware that she is too loud. It would be good to tell the priest if this is a regular occurrence. If not, let it go.

Sigismund · « **Reply #3 on:** October 19, 2013, 03:06:37 PM »

I am not sure what else you could have done. If you know the woman who was being loud, she might appreciate you telling her. I certainly would if I were in her shoes.

Lighthouse · « **Reply #4 on:** October 19, 2013, 11:07:57 PM »

Quote

Sometimes when I go to confession to an elderly priest, he sits in the benches not far from other people in the church.

They don't have confessionals where you go to church?

poche · « **Reply #5 on:** October 19, 2013, 11:15:54 PM »

I think you did the right thing. I heard that one of my aunts did the same thing when she went to confession. She did that because she was deaf and couldnt guage the loudness of her voice. With respect to anything you might have heard while this woman was talking very loud, the same rule of secrecy that applies to the priest applies to anybody who inadvertently heard what was said in confession.

poche · « **Reply #6 on:** October 19, 2013, 11:33:50 PM »

From Canon Law;

Can. 983 §1. The sacramental seal is inviolable; therefore it is absolutely forbidden for a confessor to betray in any way a penitent in words or in any manner and for any reason.

§2. The interpreter, if there is one, and all others who in any way have knowledge of sins from confession are also obliged to observe secrecy.

http://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG1104/__P3G.HTM

soulguard · « **Reply #7 on:** October 20, 2013, 07:34:11 AM »

Quote from: Lighthouse

Quote
Sometimes when I go to confession to an elderly priest, he sits in the benches not far from other people in the church.

They don't have confessionals where you go to church?

They do but the priest is just too lazy to walk for 30 seconds to enter one.