The Seal Of Confession And Lawyer Client Confidentiality

The Seal of Confession and Lawyer, Client Confidentiality By Anthony J. Fejfar, B.A., J.D., Esq., Coif © Copyright 2008 by Anthony J. Fejfar Some have criticized the Christian tradition of Confession of Sins saying that the Seal of Confession which prohibits the Priest from disclosing information in any circumstances is wrong. Additionally, some Priests complain that Parents confess child abuse to a Priest in a Satanic way to destroy the Priest while the child suffers. I argue that the Seal of Confession should be changed to reflect the Lawyer Client Confidentiality current found in the Pennsylvania Model Rules of Professional Conduct. Under PA Rule l.6 anything the client says to the lawyer in the scope of the representation is Confidential and cannot be disclosed. There are, however, exceptions to the 1.6 bar on disclosure. The exceptions are as follows: 1. While generally you cannot reveal any information regarding the past, You can reveal information if the lawyer’s service are or have been used to commit a crime or a fraud. 2. You can reveal any information regarding an intended future crime or fraud. With respect to an ongoing crime or fraud, you have permission to counsel the person to Stop committing the crime or fraud and if they don’t stop, you can reveal the information under both exceptions above. Priests should be able to use both exceptions above in confession, counseling, and spiritual direction.

Protestant Ministers should use the same rule.