Difference between revisions of "Priest-Penitent Privilege"
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The first US state to recognize the Priest-Penitent privilege by statute was New York. New York's statute originally provided that, "No minister of the gospel, or priest of any denomination whatsoever, shall be allowed to disclose any confessions made to him in his professional character, in the course of discipline enjoined by the rules of practice of such a denomination." | The first US state to recognize the Priest-Penitent privilege by statute was New York. New York's statute originally provided that, "No minister of the gospel, or priest of any denomination whatsoever, shall be allowed to disclose any confessions made to him in his professional character, in the course of discipline enjoined by the rules of practice of such a denomination." | ||
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| + | The People v. Phillips (New York 1813), the court articulated a basis for the privilege: | ||
| + | <blockquote>It is essential to the free exercise of a religion, that its ordinances should be administered-that its ceremonies as well as its essentials should be protected. Secrecy is of the essence of penance. The sinner will not confess, nor will the priest receive his confession, if the veil of secrecy is removed: To decide that the minister shall promulgate what he receives in confession, is to declare that there shall be no penance.</blockquote> | ||
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(c) Who may claim the privilege. The privilege may be claimed by the person, by his guardian or conservator, or by his personal representative if he is deceased. The clergyman may claim the privilege on behalf of the person. His authority so to do is presumed in the absence of evidence to the contrary. | (c) Who may claim the privilege. The privilege may be claimed by the person, by his guardian or conservator, or by his personal representative if he is deceased. The clergyman may claim the privilege on behalf of the person. His authority so to do is presumed in the absence of evidence to the contrary. | ||
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| + | ---- | ||
| + | See [[Evidence]] | ||
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| + | ==References== | ||
| + | * [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Priest-penitent_privilege_in_England Priest Penitent Privilege in England] | ||
