Question: Are catholic priests allowed to tell the police if someone confesses commiting murder?

No.

priest cannot repeat anything told him as part of a confession.

The Code of Canon Law states: 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.

Violation of the seal of confession results in immediate excommunication of the priest.

Priests may discuss things in general terms. One priest said that hearing the confessions of second graders is like getting bombarded with cotton balls.

For more information, see the Code of Canon Law: http://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG1104/__P3G.HTM

Here is a recent example, "Federal law protects seal of confession": http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1G1-19206224.html

With love in Christ.

No, but they can consul the petitant to go to the police and confess the crime,

they also cannot give them absolution until they do so. Priests have been jailed

for their knowledge but that vow cannot be broken under no circumstances.

"the priest is bound by the seal of confession. Sometimes a priest hears a confession through an interpreter, if there be an urgent reason for so doing. But the interpreter is also bound to keep the confession secret. Therefore one who is not a priest may know something under the seal of confession".

http://www.newadvent.org/summa/5011.htm#article3

It depends on the priest. Some priests don't care if they lose their right to be a priest and they tell everything they hear in confession and other places. Make sure you know your priest and that he is dedicated and sincere. But there's not much sense in going to confession if you're not sincere and sorry and plan to never do it again and try to make reparation and do penance.

Under no circumstances may a priest reveal to anyone sins that are confessed to him in the Sacrament of Reconciliation (often simply called "Confession."

A priest can encourage a person to turn himself in for such a crime. But in no way could he EVER reveal what what said to him. Ever....even after the penitent has died. The priest could be excommunicated for violation of the "seal of confession."

To put it bluntly if a Priest even with a OK from the Penitent reveals to any one what is said in the Confessional he is automatically EXCOMMUNICATED period,no excuse is acceptable.

no they are not. they also do not grant absolution AND work at getting the person to confess to the cops. they CAN confess to their confessor if it's lingering but that's about the extent of there telling anyone.

No, Catholic Bishops and Priests can not brake their sacramental seal, if they did they would be excommunicated from the Church. The can however try to convince the person to turn themselves into the authorities.

They are not supposed to. What a priest is told during the sacrament of Penance is not to leave the confessional. However, a Catholic priest is supposed to encourage the murderer to turn him/herself in.

To the best of my understanding there is a "clergy-penitent privilege" that says a priest CAN CHOOSE not to tell authorities. But the priest must first agree to it, it's not an automatic right for the person confessing. A lawyer has these same rights.

At least I *think* that's canon law, best to check - try www.newadvent.com

Probably not. The priests do not tell the police when a priest is raping children! The catholic priests refuse to have priests and others turned over to the police because the catholic priests do not follow Jesus.