Q. 1. I heard that laypersons can also be bound by the Seal of Confession. Is that true?

A. 1. On the matter of the Seal of Confession, the Code of Canon Law states:

Can. 983 §1. 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.

§2. The interpreter, if there is one, and all others who in any way have knowledge of sins from confession are also obliged to observe secrecy.

Can. 1388 §1. A confessor who directly violates the sacramental seal incurs a latae sententiae excommunication reserved to the Apostolic See; one who does so only indirectly is to be punished according to the gravity of the delict.

§2. An interpreter and the others mentioned in ? can. 983, §2 who violate the secret are to be punished with a just penalty, not excluding excommunication.

In simple English, if there is a translator involved to assist the priest with the Sacrament of Confession, he/she is also bound by the Seal of Confession.

Over and above the translator, those who are lined up to have their Confession heard, if they happen to overhear all or part of someone's Confession, they are also bound by the Seal of Confession.

Should the aforementioned breach the Sacrament of Confession and disclose all or part of what they heard, they are to receive a penalty that reflects the severity of their sinful behaviour. The penalty may also involve excommunication.