Note 809 — Chapter III · THE DUTIES OF THE CONFESSOR AFTER THE CONFESSION

It is not necessary to tell those whom one consults for advice that the case occurred in the confessional, nor should the matter be discussed publicly before many, but only before those who are capable of giving suitable advice. Mazzotta adds another notable limitation (Tract. VI. Disp. 2, Q. 5, c. 2): “Therefore, let confessors ask judicious men everywhere for advice in cases which have come before them in the confessional, and, in so doing, conceal the name of the penitent. But they have no right to do so if any suspicion should fall upon the person in question, or were there even a danger of this.” But what is to be done in the latter case when the confessor requires advice? Let him either present the case as an imaginary one, or let him request permission of the penitent to make use of the knowledge gained in the confessional, or let him seek a judicious man to whom the penitent is unknown, or let him send the penitent to another confessor. If none of these methods can be used without breaking the seal, let him trust to the divine assistance, employ other suitable means,—such as prayer and study,—and then let him solve the difficulty himself in the best way he can.