Philips in 1813, that priest-penitent discussions are privileged private communications that can be withheld from legal authorities. This is similar to the privilege that necessarily applies to ...

(OSV News) -- Washington state’s bishops filed a lawsuit May 29 over a new law requiring clergy to report child abuse or neglect without exceptions for clergy-penitent privilege. First reported ...

983 §1. 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.” The State of ...

In most states, however, the state reserves protections for the clergy-penitent relationship. In seven states, including New Hampshire and West Virginia, there is no such exception. (In Tennessee ...

He adds: “Among the paths of repentance is for the penitent to: constantly call out before God, crying and entreating; to perform charity according to his potential; to separate himself far from ...

Previously, these types of confessions were considered confidential under state law, which recognizes clergy-penitent privilege. Similar to attorney-client privilege or spousal privilege ...

Canon law says “the sacramental seal is inviolable; therefore, it is a crime for a confessor in any way to betray a penitent by word or in any other manner or for any reason … A confessor who ...

After the customary greetings, the penitent crosses himself: "In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen." The priest urges the penitent to have confidence in God.

The Catholic bishops of Washington state are resisting a new law signed by Democratic Governor Bob Ferguson that they say would violate the seal of confession, which would result in ...