Catholic Diocese Explain Sacred Confessional Laws

WKBN
June 22, 2012

http://www.wkbn.com/content/news/local/story/Catholic-Diocese-Explain-Sacred-Confessional-Laws/9kIZcb_8gUa-cEIEFIeHPg.cspx

[with video]

The Catholic Diocese of Youngstown released a statement on Thursday explaining the sacred laws of confession after a story that ran in the Youngstown Vindicator on Thursday stated a priest did not report child abuse allegations to police.

The victim, who is now 34, was 15 at the time. She allegedly told Rev. Michael Seifert during a confession that her stepfather, Michael Parent, raped her. Parent was sentenced to 13 years in prison earlier this week because of the assaults.

The Diocese said if the victim confided during confession, the seal of confession cannot be broken under any circumstance.

"It is because of the sacred nature of that sacrament, the content of it, that it is protected by the seal of confession in church law, and respected by civil law," said Fr. John Jerek of the Diocese of Youngstown.

Msgr. Peter Polando of the Diocese of Youngstown said priests must abide by the laws of the Catholic church, and cannot discuss any information divulged during a confession, or even acknowledge that a person has come for a confession.

"There has been age-long respect from time back on what can be said outside Confessional," said Polando. "And for the priest, he may not say anything of anyone that comes to confession to him."

The Diocese has had a Child Protection Policy in place since 1994 that deals with abuse by priests and employees. Any allegations reported to diocesan officials are immediately reported to police.