Priest–penitent privilege
SECRECY OF RELIGIOUS CONFESSIONS IN LAW
Clergy-penitent privilege; Confessional privilege; Priest-penitent privilege; Clergy–penitent privilege
The clergy–penitent privilege, clergy privilege, confessional privilege, priest–penitent privilege, pastor–penitent privilege, clergyman–communicant privilege, or ecclesiastical privilege, is a rule of evidence that forbids judicial inquiry into certain communications (spoken or otherwise) between clergy and members of their congregation. This rule recognises certain communication as privileged and not subject to otherwise obligatory disclosure; for example, this often applies to communications between lawyers and clients.