Rev. James D. Conley, D.D., S.T.L. | Diocese of Lincoln website

A recent inquiry to the Register raised concerns about priests using cell phones in confessionals, potentially risking accidental recordings of confessions. The Church emphasizes the inviolability of the Seal of Confession, with priests historically choosing imprisonment over breaking this sacred trust.

"The Church protects the Seal of Confession with everything She has," a representative explained. The Seal is considered broken if a priest connects a person to a sin, even indirectly. Laypersons who overhear confessions are also bound by the Secret and face severe penalties for violations.

Addressing modern concerns, many dioceses have prohibited priests from bringing cell phones or other devices into confessionals to prevent any risk of recording. Bishop Conley recently implemented such a ban in the Diocese of Lincoln.

A priest shared his perspective: "As a priest who would regularly bring my cellphone into the confessional with me... it wasn’t to text, or to read the news... but to do one of three things: know what time it was so I would know when to leave for Mass, read the readings for the day, or pray the breviary." Despite its convenience, this practice is now explicitly forbidden in certain dioceses.

The Church's stance on protecting confessional secrecy remains firm. "Any person who by means of any technical device makes a recording... is to be punished according to the gravity of the offence," as stated in CIC c. 1386 § 3.