Two recent posts at Biltrix, What It’s Like Hearing Confession (reblogged from last year) and Confession Made Easy, got me thinking about an atypical experience of confession I had when I was 17 years old. Towards the end of the summer before my senior year in high school I was sexually assaulted by my horse back riding instructor’s husband. I had known my horse back riding instructor and her husband since I 5th grade. So when the professionals tell you abuse or sexually assaults mostly are committed who you know I can testify that that is the truth. I needed to tell someone but because I didn’t want to lose the joyful experience of riding horses but I didn’t want a person to know who would be required to tell the police or who would tell the police of their own free will. I needed someone where I was guaranteed that what happened to me could and would not be told told to any other person. A newly ordained priest had been transferred to my parish over the summer. He assisted with the youth group and was a very kind man so one time when we were both at a youth event I pulled him aside and told him that I needed to tell him something under the seal of the confessional but it wasn’t necessarily a sin. I asked if that was possible. He said Yes and for me to go ahead. At that time I revealed to him that I had been sexually assaulted.
Fast forward about 6 months later. I did horrible on a Spanish quiz. This was unusual for me. My Spanish teacher could tell something was wrong so she had me stay after class. In talking after class I revealed to her that something had happened to me but was very vague about what specifically happened. That day I finally told the whole story to my principle and the police. I went to a Catholic high school and was treated so well by those at the school who knew what had happened to me. That day that I told my pastor at the high school even took me out to lunch while the principle informed my mom of the situation.
I told the police that the only person I had told about the sexual assault not long after I had been sexually assaulted was a priest. They asked if I could get him to tell what I had told him. I told the police it was under the seal of confession and I would have to find out how I could give my consent to release the priest from his confessional obligation, seal of confession. I talked to my pastor at Church. The pastor talked to the priest who got back to me, and it was arranged for me to officially release the priest from the seal of confession forbidding him from revealing what I told him.
Teresa, thank you for sharing such an intensely personal story. It shows how powerful is the seal of confession.
The seal of confession is indeed powerful. Yes, it is a very personal story but I figure if it helps just one person with their faith its worth telling something that personal. God Bless.
How’s my girl??? As usual a very heart wrenching story. What a powerful statement for our Church, and for the “seal of confession.”
Hope all things are well for you. Am back on my feet again, have been pretty sick since around Sept.-Oct. Has been a long haul, but due to God and His love for me, I am up again and feeling better. Not quite well but better.
I have thought about you every single day and prayed for you as often. Love you girl, God Bless, SR
Hi SR! So glad to hear you are doing better! I didn’t realize you were having terrible health troubles. I am so sorry you’ve put through the ringer health wise these past few months. I got worried about you as I saw you kinda disappeared from the blogosphere. But I have been going through some struggles, both emotional and physically with my health also. I had started hormones at the end of January but the physical pain got pretty bad this week so my doc took me off of them. I’m still in pain but doing a little bit better.
I have also thought about you often and prayed for you. God be with you as you continue your journey back to being well and in good health again. Love you and God Bless, Teresa
We are strong women my Girl, and don’t you forget it!!!! I just did a post “How I became a happy child of God through suffering.” I thought about you the whole time I was writing it. New blog http://beingfaithfultograce.wordpress.com Teresa, I have had so much grace and have learned so much through this. I have suffered much in many ways, not just health, but I am still here and so are you. We are going to get through it all together again.
I was actually staggering when I walked running into friggin walls. Hopefully it is over now. You take care and you know my email. I love you with all of my heart. God Bless, SR
That is a sorrowful story and it hurts to hear about these things happening. I did not know that a priest could be given dispensation from the seal of confession (I’m the lay man on the Biltrix blog, by the way, but if I were a priest, I suppose I would know that). In this case, I can see it as a good thing. God bless you, Teresa. Thanks for the links back to our posts.
My pleasure to link. Your group does great faith inspiring posts. Yes it is sad that this happened to me especially because this stopped me from doing something I enjoyed – horseback riding – but all things happen for a reason. Maybe I will be able to help other women or girls some day. Or prevent someone from going through a similar situation. I didn’t know the penitent could give a dispensation either. Apparently it isn’t even out of the ordinary for a priest to ask for a dispensation from the penitent. Thank you for your comment. God Bless.
What an amazing and tough story to share. Thanks for opening your heart in such a way.
This was truly an atypical experience of Confession. I’m glad that you were able to share this with your teacher.
The seal of Confession is truly amazing. Thanks for sharing.