When Does the Clergy-Penitent Privilege Exempt Reporting Child Abuse?
Montana Supreme Court interprets the state's mandatory child abuse reporting law did not apply and rules in favor of church.
Penitent Privilege
Q&A: What Should We Do With Illegal Items?
Handling guns, drugs, and other materials given to clergy.
Keeping Secrets
Your church must be careful with the confidential information it controls.
Q&A: Does the Presence of a Third Party Negate Penitent Privilege?
Definitions of roles, and state laws, factor heavily in this question.
Q&A: What’s the Difference Between “Privileged” and “Confidential” Communication?
Two confusing legal concepts made clear.
Application of Child Abuse Reporting Laws to Pastoral Counselors
Nussbaumer v. State of Florida, 882 So.2d 1067 (Fla. App. 2004) Case summary A Florida
Privileged and Confidential Communications
The South Dakota Supreme Court ruled that statements made by a pastor to a denominational official concerning his wife's sudden death in a bathtub were not protected by the clergy-penitent privilege.
Liability for Disclosing Confidential Information
A New York court issues an important ruling-Lightman v. Flaum, 687 N.Y.S.2d 562 (1999)