A Secret of Confession

Abstract

The article discusses the secret of confession from the point of view of its serving to spiritual welfare of a penitent and principles which should be respected by confessors. The reason of the secret of confession is good name of a penitent and his sense of security in the confessional and keeping the Canon Law protecting the holiness of this sacrament. The secret of confession includes both sins and circumstances which are the subject of confession in the sacramental encounter. Betrayal of the secret of confession may occur directly or indirectly and in both forms harms a penitent and an ecclesial community. New theological and moral issue is a danger of a breach of secrecy in a confession at a distance, especially with the use of electronic media.