What are the rules on sacramental confidentiality and the seal, and under what circumstances can it be breached?

• A. Confession is bound by the seal; it cannot be breached by any circumstance; no ordinary exceptions
• B. Seal may be breached if the priest suspects abuse
• C. Seal can be breached in emergencies
• D. Civil authorities can compel disclosure

Answer: (A)

The key idea here is the absolute nature of the sacramental seal. In the Catholic understanding, a priest is bound to keep secret everything learned in the sacramental confession, and that secrecy cannot be breached under any ordinary circumstance. This protects the penitent’s conscience and preserves the integrity of the sacrament, encouraging honest confession and true repentance.

Because of this, even serious situations like abuse, emergencies, or pressure from civil authorities do not justify disclosure. The seal remains intact regardless of potential harms or legal demands. The priest must decline to reveal what was confessed, and the Church stresses that the proper response to wrongdoing disclosed in confession is not to expose the penitent but to accompany them in repentance and address the situation through other lawful, pastoral channels.

Thus the statement that confession is bound by the seal and cannot be breached by any circumstance, with no ordinary exceptions, best captures the rule.