- 13 August, 2026
Bengaluru, August 13, 2026: The Centre of Canon Law at St Peter’s Pontifical Institute, Bengaluru, organised a seminar on “The Sacrament of Penance: A Canonical Overview” on August 11, focusing on the sacramental seal of confession, penalties for its violation and provisions concerning serious offences.
The seminar brought together faculty members of the Centre of Canon Law and 53 licentiate students, including 49 priests and four religious sisters. Fr. M. J. Jesu Pudumai Doss, SDB, a faculty member at St. Paul’s University, Ottawa, Canada, was the resource person.
The programme began with the lighting of a ceremonial lamp by Fr. Jesu Pudumai Doss, the director and faculty members of the Centre of Canon Law. Merlin Rengith Ambrose, Director of the Centre of Canon Law Studies, introduced the speaker, welcomed him to the Institute and felicitated him.
The seminar was conducted in two sessions and examined the Sacrament of Penance within the Church’s sanctifying office. Fr. Jesu Pudumai Doss traced its biblical foundation to Christ’s words in John 20:23 and discussed its historical and theological development, including relevant papal teaching.
The sessions focused on Canons 959–986 of the Code of Canon Law, addressing individual confession and the various roles of the priest as confessor, teacher, father, judge and physician.
Particular attention was given to Canon 983 and the sacramental seal of confession. The discussion emphasised the sacred responsibility entrusted to the confessor and the canonical and pastoral consequences of violating the seal.
The seminar also examined penal sanctions for breaches of the sacramental seal and special provisions concerning graviora delicta, or more serious offences.
The sessions included examples, discussions and interaction with the participants. A question-and-answer session further explored the canonical, procedural and pastoral dimensions of the Sacrament of Penance.
By Catholic Connect Reporter
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