The US Supreme Court has declined to hear an appeal of a Louisiana ruling that would force a Catholic priest to disclose what he heard in a sacramental confession or face imprisonment.

Last May, the Supreme Court of Louisiana ruled that the confessional seal does not apply if the penitent waives the right to confidentiality. The Diocese of Baton Rouge appealed the decision, saying that violation of the confessional seal “cuts to the core of the Catholic faith.”

By declining to hear the appeal, the US Supreme Court let the Louisiana decision stand.

The case involves a lawsuit brought by the parents of a girl who was allegedly molested by an adult man. The parents charge that the girl mentioned the man’s actions during a confession, and the priest, Father Jeff Bayhi, advised her not to report the incident. Father Bayhi, bound by the seal of confession, cannot respond to that charge.

The Louisiana Supreme Court had ordered a hearing to determine what the girl said in her confession. The court argued that the confessional seal exists only to protect the penitent, and can be waived if—as in this case—the penitent asks the priest to reveal what he heard.

The man accused of molesting the girl is now deceased

http://www.catholic culture.org/news/headlines/index.cfm?storyid=23778

The US Supreme Court has declined to hear an appeal of a Louisiana ruling that would force a Catholic priest to disclose what he heard in a sacramental confession or face imprisonment.

Last May, the Supreme Court of Louisiana ruled that the confessional seal does not apply if the penitent waives the right to confidentiality. The Diocese of Baton Rouge appealed the decision, saying that violation of the confessional seal “cuts to the core of the Catholic faith.”

By declining to hear the appeal, the US Supreme Court let the Louisiana decision stand.

The case involves a lawsuit brought by the parents of a girl who was allegedly molested by an adult man. The parents charge that the girl mentioned the man’s actions during a confession, and the priest, Father Jeff Bayhi, advised her not to report the incident. Father Bayhi, bound by the seal of confession, cannot respond to that charge.

The Louisiana Supreme Court had ordered a hearing to determine what the girl said in her confession. The court argued that the confessional seal exists only to protect the penitent, and can be waived if—as in this case—the penitent asks the priest to reveal what he heard.

The man accused of molesting the girl is now deceased

http://www.catholic culture.org/news/headlines/index.cfm?storyid=23778

Modernist Father Jeff Bayhi is to blame.   He is the one abusing the seal of confession by using it to hide his own sins.    Also, she was asking for help.   It had nothing to do with her sins but the pervert man's.  Father Bayhi could give a statement to the police without breaking the seal of confession.  His actions prove the girl is telling the truth.

Now we need to see what the priest does and what the State does.

Frankly, the State may let this one go, but there will come a time when they will refuse to do so a priest will be jailed.  We need to know when this happens.  On the other hand, I think it more likely that a priest somewhere will decide to "spill the beans" instead.

If he does decide to "spill the beans" then there is an automatic suspension and excommunication waiting for him.

For the rest of the world, it won't matter if he goes to jail or not.  Now confession will be viewed as just another way the Church hides and protects pedos.

FWIW, I believe many NO priests will eventually go along with this anyway.

Any priest who would be commiting a major sin against the Church. He is obligated to maintain the secrecy of the confession come what may. The punishment is suspension and excommunication.

Why doesn't the girl, who is willing to waive the seal, tell the priest outside of confession what happened? Then it will be in the external forum (if it isn't already).

Because that's not the purpose.  The purpose was to break the seal of the confessional in secular law.

By the way, I think the Conciliar church will not recognize excommunications for this reason or they will immediately waive the excommunication or rehabilitate the excommunicate.  

This story was published last July, does anyone know what has happened since?

Marsha