Do Catholic priests forget what they are told in confession?

In the Catholic Church, priests are bound by the sacramental seal of confession, which is considered inviolable. This means that they are prohibited from disclosing anything they learn from penitents during the sacrament of confession under any circumstances.

Canon law, which governs the Catholic Church, explicitly states that "The sacramental seal is inviolable; therefore it is absolutely forbidden for a confessor to betray in any way a penitent in words or in any manner and for any reason" (Code of Canon Law, Canon 983 §1).

The expectation is that Catholic priests maintain strict confidentiality and never divulge the contents of confessions, even if it puts them in legal or personal jeopardy. Violating the seal of confession is considered one of the gravest offenses within the Church and can result in severe penalties, including excommunication.

As a result, Catholic priests are not permitted to forget what they are told in confession. They are obligated to maintain the confidentiality of all information shared with them during the sacrament, regardless of the circumstances. This confidentiality is considered essential to the integrity of the sacrament and to uphold trust between the penitent and the priest.