Fuelled by leaking of top Vatican secrets by his butler, Pope Benedict, has extended the oath of secrecy to lay people at the Papal Conclave.
As part of his ‘motu proprio’ (at his own initiative) released on February 25, Pope Benedict outlined the penalty for such and infraction is automatic excommunication.
With his ‘motu proprio’ the Holy Father wanted to make things immediate clear and not leave the matter to his successor, Archbishop Celata of the Holy See press office said.
Under the prior rules, any such person who violated the pact of secrecy was subject to punishment at the discretion of the new pope.
Two lay technicians will also be at the Papal Conclave.
The lay technicians’ task is to assist the officers of the College of Cardinals, assuring that no audio-visual equipment for recording or transmitting has been installed by anyone in the restricted areas, and particularly in the Sistine Chapel itself, where the acts of election are carried out.
Excommunication is a grave punishment for Catholics and represents the “principal and severest censure that deprives the guilty Christian of all participation in the Church.
It is the most serious penalty the Church can inflict.
Sources
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