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Objection 1: It would seem that the seal of confession extends to
other matters besides those which have reference to confession. For
sins alone have reference to confession. Now sometimes besides sins
other matters are told which have no reference to confession.
Therefore, since such things are told to the priest, as to God, it
seems that the seal of confession extends to them also.
Objection 2: Further, sometimes one person tells another a secret,
which the latter receives under the seal of confession. Therefore the
seal of confession extends to matters having no relation to confession.
On the contrary, The seal of confession is connected with sacramental
confession. But those things which are connected with a sacrament, do
not extend outside the bounds of the sacrament. Therefore the seal of
confession does not extend to matters other than those which have
reference to sacramental confession.
I answer that, The seal of confession does not extend directly to
other matters than those which have reference to sacramental
confession, yet indirectly matters also which are not connected with
sacramental confession are affected by the seal of confession, those,
for instance, which might lead to the discovery of a sinner or of his
sin. Nevertheless these matters also must be most carefully hidden,
both on account of scandal, and to avoid leading others into sin
through their becoming familiar with it.
This suffices for the Reply to the First Objection.
Reply to Objection 2: A confidence ought not easily to be accepted
in this way: but if it be done the secret must be kept in the way
promised, as though one had the secret through confession, though not
through the seal of confession.
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