The Right to Silence: Privileged Communication and the Pastor

action advice allowed American answer appear apply asked attorney authority belongs body brother called canon charge Christian Church clear clergyman client common law concerning confessional confessor confidence confidential confidential communications consent counsel course of discipline court decision defendant denomination discipline enjoined disclose disclosure District effect elders England English evidence examined exception exists fact faith fession forgiveness give given gospel granting grounds held Ibid instance interest involved John judge keep later Luther Lutheran matter meaning minister nature objection party pastor penitent person practice Presbyterian present priest privileged communication problem professional character protection question reason received recognition recognized referred Reformation refused relation relationship religion religious Reports respect reveal Roman Catholic rule sacrament seal of confession Second secrecy secret seeking seems sins spiritual statements statute testify testimony third tion trial United whole wife witness