VIII. The Minister of This Sacrament

From The Catechism of the Catholic Church

1467
Given the delicacy and greatness of this ministry and the respect due to
persons, the Church declares that every priest who hears confessions is bound
under very severe penalties to keep absolute secrecy regarding the sins that
his penitents have confessed to him. He can make no use of knowledge that
confession gives him about penitents’ lives.⁷² This secret, which
admits of no exceptions, is called the “sacramental seal,” because
what the penitent has made known to the priest remains “sealed” by
the sacrament.

PART TWO: THE CELEBRATION OF THE CHRISTIAN MYSTERY

SECTION TWO THE SEVEN SACRAMENTS OF THE CHURCH
- CHAPTER TWO THE SACRAMENTS OF HEALING
  - Article 4 THE SACRAMENT OF PENANCE AND RECONCILIATION
    - VIII. The Minister of This Sacrament

From The Catechism of the Catholic Church – rosary.team