Abstract
Outlines ethical dilemmas involving clergy confidentiality. Defines secrecy, confidentiality, and privileged communication. Traces historical roots and foundational legal basis of clergy confidentiality to the practice of private confession in the early and medieval church. Introduces legal concepts pertaining to clergy confidentiality. Defends the vital importance of pastoral confidentiality as a sacred trust and proposes a model based on levels of confidentiality for negotiating the ethical dilemmas pastors face.
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