A Chaplain's Guide to Privileged Communications

This thesis examines the theological, legal, and professional issues that guide the disclosure or privileged or sensitive information by a chaplain or clergyperson. While oriented more to the military chaplain, this paper also applies to the civilian minister or priest. Within each major area (theological, legal, and professional) an ethical principle is developed, which is then applied to specific situation involving privileged communication. This work also includes an appendix of all state statutes regarding privileged communication and mandatory disclosure of child and elder abuse.