Vatican rejects laws aimed at forcing priests to reveal what they hear in confession

Most countries’ legal systems respect the religious right of a Catholic priest not to reveal what he has learned in confession

But that right is being challenged more frequently in the wake of the sexual abuse crisis that has embroiled the church

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Pope Francis at the Vatican on June 30. Photo: Reuters

Published: 9:08pm, 1 Jul 2019Updated: 9:30pm, 1 Jul 2019

No government or law can force Catholic clergy to reveal what they learn in confession, the Vatican said on Monday, in an apparent response to moves in Australia and elsewhere to force them to do so in cases of sexual abuse.

A document from the Vatican’s Apostolic Penitentiary, which deals with issues of the sacrament of confession, said priests cannot violate the seal “because this duty comes directly from God.”

Pope Francis leads a mass at the Vatican. Photo: Reuters

The document, which did not mention any countries or the sexual abuse crisis, complained of a “worrying negative prejudice against the Catholic Church”.

Most countries’ legal systems respect the religious right of a Catholic priest not to reveal what he has learned in confession, similar to legal professional privilege.

But the sexual abuse crisis that has embroiled the Catholic Church around the world has seen this right challenged more frequently.

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