" 'But where does Prosecutor Fitzgerald's dictum leave Catholic priests and the sanctity of the confessional?'
I think even Catholic priests are exempt from the confidentiality "rules" of the Church when the crime involves something very serious, such as murder. However, an informant in a political catfight would most likely still be protected by the Church.
Maybe other Freepers with more familiarity with Catholic doctrine could address this."
The seal of confession cannot be broken by the priest for any reason - regardless of the crime confessed.
So either Prosecutor Fitzgerald was misquoted or he was just spouting BS.
By the way, I thought that a one spouse can not be compelled to testify against the other. Doesn't that mean that a husband can "promise complete confidentiality" to his wife?
I'm not trying to go to the third degree over this, but it just seems to me that a federal prosecutor should be careful when he makes a declaritive statement that it be accurate.
I say again, I'm glad he's going after these two. The leaker should be brought to justice, regardless of his or her political party. Although I'll bet I can guess which party is the leaker's home, as can most everyone else here.
(steely)