Most people – whether Catholic or not – are aware of the secrecy and confidentiality of the confessional. Under no circumstances can the priest reveal what he has heard during the Sacrament of Reconciliation – even at the danger of harm or death to another. One of the patron saints of the confessional, St. John Nepomucene, was martyred in the late 1300s for refusing to tell a king what the queen had confessed.
The specifics of this rule are found in the Code of Canon Law, #983.1. When we go on, however, to #984, there is an expanded explanation of this confidentiality to include using knowledge gained in a confession against the penitent – even if the identity is not revealed. There is a specific example I was taught and that I use frequently when explaining the sacrament. If my parish bookkeeper confesses to me that they are stealing money from the parish, I cannot set up measures to catch them the next day. (Be assured, this is only by way of example. All the parish bookkeepers I have worked with have been good and honest people!)
The specific wording that was taught to me was that I may not “benefit” from what I hear in the confessional. While not exactly in the code, this has always been in the background of my mind on one level in teaching and explaining the confidentiality of the sacrament, but on quite another level in practice. Objectively, I cannot use anything I hear. Yet, subjectively, as the person of the confessor, is it really possible that I don’t “benefit” in some way from the experience?
On a direct spiritual level, the very process of interacting with a penitent affects me and can provide some benefit to my own spiritual development. Being present during another human’s expressions of humility, honesty, and remorse, always strikes me to the heart. There is an emotional exchange that is never – and I pray never will be – a simple rote recital of absolution on my part.
I also benefit from the effects this has on my own life and sense of penance. My repeating mantra underlying all sin is that everyone is trying in life. We are all trying to do what we think is a good. Yet frequently it is either a lesser good or that we are settling for something less but more immediate. All of my own personal sin has these at their basis as well. Hearing what my penitents are trying to do or accomplish on their spiritual journey inspires greater care and effort in my own prayer life and devotions.
The results of these reflections lead to two aspects at the same time. Not only must I partake of the Sacrament of Reconciliation more frequently, but parallel with this is that this feeling of how I want to be treated in the confession influences how I treat others. It keeps my focus on the experience of being forgiven and the presence of grace to sin no more.
It is a two-edged sword though. I rarely listen to my own advice to others. As hard as I am on myself, the more gentle I find myself with others. Yet better for my own spiritual life would be to treat others in confession as I have been treated – with gentleness and complete forgiveness.
While not remembering individual sins and never judging, the very process of hearing confessions cannot but be beneficial. While not using any knowledge to reveal or to punish someone under my authority, the experience always enhances me on my spiritual path. While I know that I am not breaking any Church laws or even coming on the wrong side of the spirit of the law, know that after a confession – even though there is no negativity or judgment coming from me – you may have dropped another little nugget of grace into my day, my ministry, or my heart.
