Talks With Clergy Ruled Admissible in Trial

The Supreme Court of Canada has ruled that conversations with a priest or other clergy may be admitted as evidence in a criminal trial.

While a blanket privilege protects confessions made to lawyers, the court ruled recently that confessions to clergy are not automatically protected.

The Canadian action will have no direct effect on U.S. policy. However, Joe Conn, spokesperson for Americans United for Separation of Church and State, said the matter of admitting confessions is “still an unsettled area” in U.S. law.

Conn said that although most courts have recognized the right of clergy confidentiality, some states have passed laws requiring anyone--including a minister--who hears about a case of child abuse to report it to legal authorities.