Archbishop Jerome E. Listecki of Milwaukee said in a March 22 statement that he has “immediately removed the canonical faculties” of Father James E. Connell “to validly celebrate the sacrament of confession and to offer absolution here in the Archdiocese of Milwaukee and thereby also in the Catholic Church around the world.”
Retired Milwaukee priest barred from hearing confessions over support of Delaware ‘repeal of seal’ law
Why the church law forbids violating the seal of confession
The seal of confession is so important and sacred that a priest would be automatically excommunicated under canon law for directly revealing the contents of a confession.