Pope Francis Excommunicate a Nigeria priest for Breaking the Confessional seal.

After two years of investigation, the Holy See decided to excommunicate a priest in Australia, the British Daily Mail reported today. The investigation revealed Father Ezinwanne Igbo had broken the Seal of the Confessional–the absolute duty of priests not to disclose anything that they learn from penitents in the Sacrament of Penance.

The facts, which go back to 2016, led to the opening of an investigation based on a dozen complaints against Father Igbo. Originally from Nigeria, he was a priest at the Stella Maris Parish in Queensland.

The excommunication, which is automatic in this case, was approved by the Holy See, according to a statement from the Archdiocese of Brisbane (Australia), dated February 7.

The sentence provides that the priest can no longer participate in public worship, nor celebrate or receive the sacraments. The sanction, however, can be lifted by the pope.

The lifting of the Seal of the Confessional was one of 189 requests in the December 2017 report on pedophile crimes committed.

The statement reads: “In 2016, the Archdiocese received a number of complaints concerning Fr Ezinwanne Igbo.

“In one of those complaints, he was alleged to have committed a canonical offence which resulted in automatic excommunication.

“This was not a criminal offence under civil law. An investigative process was authorised by the Holy See and conducted by senior canon lawyers. The process confirmed the allegation unanimously.

“The Archbishop then submitted the judgment to the Holy See, who subsequently requested that the excommunication be made public.

“The excommunication will remain in force until Fr Ezinwanne seeks and is granted remission by the Pope, who alone can grant it.