Louisiana Supreme Court Orders Priest To Violate Confessional Seal

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.

Irish Law Targets The Confessional Seal

The Justice Minister of Ireland has proposed 5-year sentences for priests who don't report cases of sexual abuse when they hear it confessed in the confessional.  Needless to say, a proper outrage has arisen not only from the clergy but also the laity.

Make no mistake.  This is not about "protecting children and the vulnerable".  It is an excuse to attack the priesthood.  Does anyone really think that any serial abuser will step into a confessional if he/she knows they'll be reported?

I might suggest an immediate cessation of the "face-to-face" confession.  Restore the practice of all confessions taking place in a screened confessional.  I suggest it not only for Ireland (St Patrick must be rolling in his grave) but for all Catholic churches.  With all the attacks that the Church here is undergoing in the U.S., it's just a mater of time before this confession stunt is attempted here.