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Can a priest be prosecuted for not informing the law of a confession?
I step into the box and tell the priest "Forgive me lord, I just killed a man"
The priest gives me some spiel about being forgiven blah-de-blah
If the police had reason to believe that the killer had told the priest, but the priest did nothing....could they prosecute the priest for obstruction/failure to report a crime/aiding and abetting?
5 Answers
- JayLv 710 years agoFavorite Answer
A priest is not required to turn this information over to the police. However, a priest should encourage someone to confess. Most priests understand that civil law is important enough, especially when it's consistent with God's law.
- Joe FinkleLv 710 years ago
The priest is protected by the 1st amendment. Requiring him to report would violate his right to practice his religion. There are limits, of course. If he knows of a future crime, he might be required to report. I don't know about that for sure. I know lawyers have to report a future crime. But like lawyers, priests cannot be forced to report past crimes.
- Anonymous10 years ago
wen you go in to confession the priest will never divulge anything to anyone. and for the rest of your questions is no no no the priest can not be charge- but I don't think that the priest is going to tell you that you are forgiven for committing a murder=
- ?Lv 710 years ago
You can't prosecute the priest any more than you can proseucute the guy's wife if she knew about it, too,. These are called privileged communications.
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- Anonymous10 years ago
No.
Peace.