Longbeard's Warning
No Cell Phones in the Confessional Protecting the Inviolable Sacramental Seal Dear Parishioners, The Sacrament of Penance offers God's mercy in absolute privacy, bound by the sacramental seal —a divine promise of secrecy under pain of excommunication. 1 2 3 In our surveillance age (e.g., proven NSA/PRISM programs), cell phones risk recording or transmitting confessions, violating this sacred trust. Leave phones outside to safeguard souls and obey Church law. 1 4 5 Why the Seal is Inviolable God's Command : The priest hears sins " not as man, but as God ," binding him eternally to silence—even under torture or death. 6 3 Church Law : "Absolutely forbidden... to betray a penitent in any way" (Can. 983). All who learn sins from confession (e.g., interpreters) must observe secrecy. 6 3 "The sacramental seal is inviolable" (CCC 2511). 2 Cell Phone Dangers in Confession Recording Risk : Any device capturing words incurs lata...