A recent House Judiciary Committee report has revealed a troubling use of federal power: the FBI’s Richmond Field Office monitored a traditional Catholic priest—a member of the Society of Saint Pius X—after he refused to answer questions about confidential conversations with a parishioner converting to Catholicism.
The priest was questioned about whether the parishioner had spoken of violent intentions. He requested to consult his church leadership and legal counsel before answering and subsequently refused to cooperate further. In response, the FBI opened a formal investigative assessment, tracking his travel, ordination history, and even scrutinizing his credit card transactions. They even worked with the FBI’s London office when the priest traveled abroad.
The FBI also incorrectly claimed that communications with the parishioner were not covered under priest-penitent privilege because the person had not yet been baptized or completed catechesis—an assertion in direct conflict with Virginia law, which protects all confidential spiritual counsel regardless of the individual’s sacramental status.
As a Catholic, this news stirs deep concern. The seal of confession and the confidentiality of spiritual counsel are sacred deposits entrusted to the clergy by the faithful. From our Church’s perspective, protecting that confidentiality is non-negotiable.
Key Observations from a Faithful Lens
- 1. Religious Liberty Violated
The Church teaches that the seal of confession is inviolable, and even beyond sacramental contexts, the confidentiality between priest and penitent is deeply protected in Canon Law and respected by civil statutes like Virginia’s religious‑privilege exemption. - 2. Government Overreach Undermines Faith
Surveillance of a priest simply for insisting on ecclesiastical protections—absent any credible law enforcement justification—raises alarms about religious liberty. The Committee concluded that “there appeared to be no legitimate law‑enforcement purpose for investigating this priest”. - 3. Mischaracterizing Believers as Threats
The FBI’s investigation was tied to broader targeting of so-called “radical traditionalist Catholics,” linking their beliefs—including the Latin Mass and traditional family values—to violent extremism using heavily biased sources like the Southern Poverty Law Center. The Committee found these sources to be openly hostile to Catholics and pro-life convictions.
Why This Should Stir the Conscience of the Faithful
The faithful must recognize that safeguarding spiritual freedom, privacy in pastoral relationships, and respect for traditional expressions of faith are essential elements of religious liberty. When a government agency disregards these protections, it opens a breach in constitutional and moral integrity.
Call to Prayer and Vigilance
Let us unite in prayer for the priest unjustly surveilled, that God may sustain him in courage and faithfulness. May our bishops and legislators take note and act to enshrine firmer safeguards for devotional confidentiality.
Our faith refuses to shrink in the face of intimidation. As St. Peter urged, “Always be ready to give an explanation to anyone who asks you for a reason for your hope” (1 Peter 3:15)—and we shall answer in integrity and prayer.
In Summary
- The FBI, under the prior administration, surveilled a traditional Catholic priest after he declined to divulge spiritual confidences.
- This investigation lacked legitimate law enforcement basis and misread protected spiritual communication.
- Catholics must remain vigilant in defending sacred confidentiality, robust religious liberty, and justice for all who serve Christ with integrity.
Let this episode awaken the faithful to the vital importance of truth, freedom, and steadfast prayer.
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