Sorsogon priest excommunicated for breaking ‘seal of confession’

For breaking the “seal of confession," a priest from Sorsogon was formally excommunicated. The Roman Catholic Diocese of Sorsogon declared the penalty of excommunication “latae sententiae" against Fr Alejandre Galias in a decree dated September 21, 2007. According to Sorsogon Bishop Arturo Bastes, Galias violated a Church law declaring that every priest who hears confessions is bound under very severe penalties to keep absolute secrecy of sins that his penitents have confessed to him. Bishop Bastes said a complaint was filed before his office accusing the priest of violating the “seal of confession," prompting him to investigate the matter. “We found out that he really violated such rule and thus incurred an automatic excommunication," Bastes said. Because of this, Galias is now barred from administering any sacrament and from holding positions within the church. Bastes sent copies of his decree to other dioceses in the country. Galias’s punishment is the most serious ecclesiastical penalty that could be levied against ministers of the church. Excommunication of priests is not a “vindictive penalty", but is a “medicinal penalty" intended for them to correct their misbehaviors. Lingayen Archbishop Oscar Cruz, Judicial Vicar of CBCP’s Dispensation Section, said excommunication can be incurred either “ferendae sententiae" (imposed as the sentence of an ecclesiastical court) or “latae sententiae" (incurred at the moment the offensive act takes place). “The moment you broke the seal of confession then you are penalized by the law itself," Cruz said. Cruz further added that if the bishop, is convinced that he has all the evidence that a punishable sin of excommunication has been committed, “then he could just declare it according to law." Cruz revealed that the direct violation of the sacramental seal of confession by a confessor is one of the common grounds why some priests are punished. Asked if Galias could still appeal his case, Cruz said only an order from Pope Benedict XVI would be the final solution for the priest to return to his priestly duties. “It requires the Holy Father to lift an excommunication," he said. “It is quiet serious." Earlier, Galias was accused as the priest behind a fraud allegedly being operated by a group posing as a religious congregation in Bicol region. Bastes said the “Sons/Sisters of Mary, Adorers of the Holy Eucharist (SMAHE)," founded by Galias, has no authority to recruit or solicit. “Being not a religious superior, he is forbidden to recruit for vocations, men and women, as well as to solicit funds for his group," he said. The prelate said Galias’ group is neither a religious institute or congregation, nor a public association with canonical rights. “Hence, it does not posses a juridical personality according to Canon Law," he declared. - GMANews.TV