‘Seal of Confessional’ case headed to U.S. Supreme Court: Must a priest testify to what was said in the confessional? Next on FOT

Several months ago the Supreme Court of Louisiana ruled that a priest from the diocese of 

Professor Ciolino

Baton Rouge must divulge what transpired during a sacramental confession. Canon Law strictly prohibits priests from breaking that seal, or even acknowledging that there was a confession. 

The Diocese of Baton Rouge has now appealed that ruling to the United States Supreme Court and joining us Tuesday to discuss this matter will be Professor Dane Ciolino, the  Alvin R. Christovich Distinguished Professor of Law at Loyola University New Orleans College of Law. Professor Ciolino graduated cum laude from Rhodes College in 1985, and magna cum laude from Tulane Law School in 1988, where he was inducted into Order of the Coif and selected as Editor in Chief of the Tulane Law Review.

The Diocese has released a statement that says in part:

“[T]he Louisiana Supreme Court's ruling strikes a very hard blow against religious

freedom, and one which the diocese and Father [Jeff] Bayhi feel compelled to vigorously contest. That ruling, left undisturbed, would result in a trial during which the plaintiffs would be permitted to offer evidence regarding what transpired during a series of alleged confessions, with Father Bayhi and the diocese utterly unable to defend themselves …”

Join Deacon Mike Manno and co-host Gina Noll as they discuss these matters with Professor Ciolino Tuesday morning at 9 (CDT) or the re-broadcast at 9 p.m. on Iowa Catholic Radio, 1150 AM; 88.5 & 94.5 FM and streaming on IowaCatholicRadio.com.

Iowa Catholic Radio, KWKY Des Moines; FOT is underwritten by Attorney Rick McConville of Coppola, McConville, Coppola, Carroll, Hockenberg & Scalise PC, 2100 Westown Parkway, West Des Moines, and Confluence Brewing Company, 1235 Thomas Beck Road, Des Moines.