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Priests would die to protect penitents

The Archbishop of Westminster, Cardinal Vincent Nichols, has told an inquiry that priests would rather die than break the Seal of Confession. The Seal of Confession is the duty of priests not to disclose information they learn from penitents.  It has traditionally been taught that this is sacrosanct and that breaking it for any reason is a grave sin, which would result in castigation by damnation. 
 
Whilst giving evidence at the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse, Cardinal Nichols, President of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of England and Wales told the IICSA that throughout history, priests have died to defend their role in confession.  
 
Cardinal Nichols told the inquiry: "I would defend the Seal of Confession absolutely. The history of the Catholic church has seen several people who've been put to death in defence of the Seal of Confession. But the Seal of Confession is of a sacred nature and it's at the heart of the priest ministry acting in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit."
 
Australia has seen several child sex abuse scandals in the last year prompt a five-year judicial inquiry into the historic abuse of children in Catholic institutions.  
Since these publications have been documented, several laws have been passed in Australia which will soon require Catholic priests to break the secrecy of the confessional.  
 
Brian Altman QC, counsel for the IICSA asked whether recommending breaking the Seal of Confession would be well received by the Bishops Conference. 
 
Cardinal Nichols replied: "It would not be well received; it would be rejected" he then asked the government to consider this matter very carefully before recommending mandatory reporting for priests as this could put them at risk of false claims that someone has confessed.
 
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