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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.

" '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.

Maybe other Freepers with more familiarity with Catholic doctrine could address this.

Maybe the Catholic and other churches have such provisions but I always thought communications between priests, pastors, etc. and churchmembers were granted absolute privilege under the law. Maybe some of the FR legal minds can straighten this out but I know that lawyers and doctors (including psychiatrists, etc.) do not have to reveal communications with clients. I always thought the same privilege extended to the clergy.

The sanctity of the confessional is indeed absolute and total.

Priests have died rather than communicate matter revealed under the seal of the confession.

Canon 983.1: "The sacramental seal is inviolable it is absolutely forbidden for a confessor to betray in any way a penitent in words or in any manner and for any reason."

Canon 984.1: "A confessor is prohibited completely from using knowlege acquired from confession to the detriment of the penitent even when any danger of revelation is excluded."

A violation of the seal of confession is an excommunicatable offense reserved to the Holy See.

If a penitent confessed something like a murder, the priest probably would instruct him that he would not give absolution until the penitent turned himself in to the authorities. If he believes enough to confess, that's strong compulsion to turn himself in.

But the priest cannot reveal it.

The major difference between priests and reporters is that priests can't tell ANYbody -- reporters tell EVERYbody, they just don't reveal their "source".

"Maybe other Freepers with more familiarity with Catholic doctrine could address this."

The question isn't about Catholic doctrine, but the law. I think priests generally tell a penitent that if he has committed a crime, he needs to report it to the proper authorities as a condition of absolution. That is fairly clear; what is not clear is whether the law could force a priest to divulge information heard in confession.