Although countless novels and many movies such as “A Prayer for the Dying” and
Hitchcock’s classic, “I Confess,” have dealt specifically with this exact same issue, in the
end, the basic answer to your question is “NO;” no priest can be compelled to reveal a
penitent’s confession. Within the Sacrament of Repentance there exists a “seal” between
you, God, and your Spiritual Father. There are no exceptions, nor can there be, to this
fact.
Always keep in mind that each confession is made directly to God, for only He, alone,
can forgive and remit sins. The priest’s role within this sacred and solemn process is to
stand alongside the penitent to bear witness to this event; providing moral support and
spiritual guidance necessary to restore us to God’s great and immeasurable love. Then,
after the penitent has freely and honestly confessed their sins, and having promised to
mend their ways, the priest places his stole (epitrachelion) upon their head and reads the
prayer of absolution which, through God’s sacramental presence and ever-flowing mercy,
takes away the heavy burden, guilt, and shame of those sins.
