“Forgive me father, for I have sinned.” With these words, penitents open their hearts to God and their local Catholic priest. In doing so, they take advantage of a special relationship – a special legal privilege – and no matter what they admit to or reveal, be it a little envy or a capitol offense, the secret will be safe. In most states, the sanctity of penitent-clergy privilege is enjoyed by all faiths; tell your minister or rabbi about your troubles, about your crimes, and you can expect he or she won’t drop a dime.
But all this may be changing. New revelations about child sexual abuse by clergy are driving some politicians to question the moral calculus that says keeping confidence is more important than calling in the cops.
Guests:
Father Ed Vacek, Westin Jesuit School of Theology
Paul Rothstein, Professor of Law, Georgetown University
Martha Coakley, Middlesex County District Attorney