Christ is Risen!
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If you spend long enough on this forum, you'll come away with all sorts of weird, untrue ideas of Orthodox Christianity.
I would suggest most persons in general avoid any question beginning with why.
Just out of curiosity, do Eastern Orthodox priests hold themselves to the same standard, I.e. the seal of the confessional? Or would they report a confession of crime to the police?
Nothing told to Christ in Confession and witnessed by me can be divulged. Full stop.However, there is always the counseling after the confession. Yes, if/when criminal activity is confessed, I do my best to reinforce to the penitent the importance of being repentant, part of which is setting the record straight.Yes, I've driven children to stores to apologize to the store owner for stealing something, but it's the child who does all the talking; I say nothing.If a person confesses something criminal to me that would be such as murder, child molestation, etc I would do all I could to help the penitent go to the legal authorities and help the victim or family have peace of mind. Thank God nothing like that has occurred yet....I have enough trouble with 'incense getting in my eyes' when hearing the pain caused to my parishioners from "every day" sins, and nothing as demonic as violent crime.But, nothing said in Confession can be divulged. Ever.
Thanks, Peter. (I wasn't asking to be provocative, just honestly was not sure. )
In my understanding if the seal of confession is broken there can be jail time in after life.