seal of the confessional
A healthy theology of safeguarding goes hand-in-hand with our sacramental life; thus, I will resist proposals to remove the Seal of the Confessional.
As urgent is the task of preserving the Seal of the Confessional from well- intentioned but misguided attempts to qualify it.
I will vigorously defend the Seal of the Confessional, as something deeply embedded in our historic formularies.
The hearing of confessions (a practice mentioned in the Book of Common Prayer) is not such an activity, and I will resist any attempt to change the canon which upholds the seal of the confessional.
- The Seal of the Confessional: Having indicated my support for proper
Even in my short time, I have found myself in the happy position of collaborating across the entire theological spectrum of the Church of England on issues as diverse as the Chester-led move to refocus the allocation of LInC funding from dioceses to parishes, and the safeguarding implications of the Seal of the Confessional.
I have a particular concern about the so-called Seal of the Confessional where the duty of absolute secrecy contradicts the most basic safeguarding principle of prioritising the vulnerable.
• That the “Seal of the Confessional” be preserved – that is, a completely confidential place
I will always seek to defend the seal of the confessional and uphold the Church of England’s historic teaching on Christian marriage.
For pastoral, theological and ecumenical reasons, I do not support a change to the Church’s Canon Law in relation to the seal of the confessional.
My three areas to focus on as we look ahead will be the Code of Conduct, Inclusion and the Seal of the Confessional.
Moreover, the question remains whether the “seal of the confessional” should hold firm in cases where there are safeguarding concerns.
I believe strongly in upholding the Seal of the Confessional.
To uphold the Seal of the Confessional.
Rather the seal of the confessional, used wisely and correctly, assists in good safeguarding practices.
Undoing the seal of the confessional is pastorally and sacramentally harmful.
There is pressure to abolish the Seal of the Confessional.
• The Seal of the Confessional is now under threat,
Seal of the confessional The seal of confidentiality associated with this sacrament is upheld by the universal church.