In the Diocese of Baton Rouge, LA - 5 years ago - a 12-yr old girl allegedly went to Confession and reported to the priest, Fr. Jeff Bayhi, that she was being sexually abused. She reported that he counseled that she remain silent on the matter.
The parents filed suit against Fr. Bayhi and the Diocese of Baton Rouge and are trying to compel Father Bayhi to comment about what the girl said in confession. In other words, they're demanding that he violate the Seal of Confession. The LA Supreme Court is joining in the demand.
Ladies and gentlemen, a priest may never - under any circumstances - divulge what he heard in the Confessional. If he dares to do so, he incurs automatic excommunication, imperiling his own immortal soul. This is nothing more than an attempt to marginalize Catholics as they freely live out their faith.
The Diocese of Baton Rouge has issued their statement. They intend to take this matter to the Supreme Court, if necessary. For now, I'd suggest an immediate cessation to the "face-to-face" option that is currently available in parishes. That was a lousy idea from the get-go.
Saint John Nepomucene, pray for us.
Confession is the one sacrament, even the most liberal of liberal priests I have not seen mess with...Lord have mercy, and may the priests have the grrace to never speak.....of course face to face confession should be eliminated for this very purpose
ReplyDeleteThis is yet another violation of religious freedom in this country. I think it is disgusting what LA has done. However, I am a bit confused by this story. You see, a priest is allowed to reveal what is said in confession if a penitent gives him permission to do so. If this girl were to give him permission, he could reveal what she said without violation of the seal. So, why doesn't he just say to the girl, "I can reveal this if you tell me I can," and then there would be no issue. Or perhaps he would only be allowed to do that while she was confessing, and never afterwards, unless she brought it up? I don't know. It is a good question. Either way, however, the state surely should not get involved in such matters. http://www.catholiceducation.org/articles/religion/re0059.html
ReplyDeleteSt. John Nepomucene, pray for us, for sure!
-Dawn
The Seal of Confession is absolute. And the Church not the State determines what constitutes the Sacrament.
ReplyDeleteBut the information leaves several puzzling questions. Isn't 5 years old rather young for confession? In that she mentioned a sin against her, not a sin of her's, was this and the subsequent counseling that was mentioned within the sacramental action?
Lastly, if the priest did in fact say what he was reported to say, he is a very bad priest.