Wrong on confession

THOSE who proclaim the secrecy of the confessional to be an essential element of the sacrament are mistaken.

Christ said: “Whose sins you shall forgive they are forgiven, whose sins you shall retain they are retained.” The secrecy part was added much later as a result of discussions at a Lateran Council, and is part of church law rather than God’s law.

I feel sure that Christ did not intend His sacrament to be used a shield for rapists, murderers or other criminals, but as a means of repentance and forgiveness in heaven.

Paul McCarthy

Currabinny

Co Cork