Is it sinful for priests or/and those in state of religion to hug women? Question. 

Is it sinful for priests or/and those in state of religion (eg. Franciscans, Dominicans, etc.) to hug women (of course, we are not speaking of hugging mother, sister or something like that)?

Argument against.

We can see this happen publicly on the show The Voice (about 7 minutes and 45 seconds in the video). Also, I see many examples in the youth groups where the priest becomes (very) friendly with the youth. So, obviously those who have authority are seen to do such things and I have seen no one to reproach them; so it seems that they are not doing anything evil.

Argument for.

It would seem that all hugging between male and female (which are not husband or wife or are family) is sinful (so for a priest or religious it is also a sin). For it is mentioned as a sin in the Eisenger Confessionale p.180:


  qui deliberate exosculatus aut complexus fuit vel tetigit mulierem
  (who deliberately kissed, hugged or touched woman)
Yes, it can be:


Scandal


So as to avoid scandal, can. 667 on enclosure prohibits certain people from entering cloisters.
Can. 667 §4 governs how semi-cloistered nuns (i.e., those with episcopal enclosure) can be outside their convents:§4. For a just cause, a diocesan bishop has the faculty of entering the cloister of monasteries of nuns which are in his diocese and, for a grave cause and with the consent of the superior, of permitting others to be admitted to the cloister and the nuns to leave it [their cloister] for a truly necessary period of time.Contemplatives, who are under papal enclosure, need the Pope's permission.

Lust


If the hugs are done for lustful motives (cf. Summa Theologica II-II q. 154 a. 4)

Over-familiarity


Super Io., cap. 4 l. 6.:  "nimia familiaritas, reverentiam minuit, et contemptum parit" ("over-familiarity diminishes reverence and breeds contempt")

Sacrilege


Just like a chalice, consecrated to hold the Precious Blood, used for a profane purpose (such as for drinking water) would be sacrilege, so, too, is "laying violent* hands on clerics or religious of either sex" or "the commission of acts of unchastity by or with a person bound by the public vow of chastity" sacrilege.*The hugging you show in your YouTube video appears violent, forced upon her.



Also, regarding your link to the The Voice show, listen to this sermon: "Sister Cristina &amp; the Current Church Crisis."