[De veritate dicenda aut tacenda]

On the Seal of Confession

The fourth objection: In no case is it permitted to reveal matters, even if true, which are known only under the seal of confession. For such things are covered by the decree of both divine and human law, and such things must be held as entirely unknown, because they are considered as known only to God. They do not fall under human knowledge, whether or not they threaten danger to the community or to a private person. Although, in a general way, one who knows such things may warn those in charge to take precautions against danger, they must do so without marking the person. For if it cannot be done without suspicion of a specific person, and that generality cannot be defamed, one is bound by complete silence to cover it. Nor can it be concluded from this that the seal of confession militates against charity, because charity does not require that one apply a remedy to an evil that one does not know.