Tolerancja prawa wobec wiadomości powierzonych duchownemu
Tolerance of law for messages communicated to a clergyman

Summary/Abstract: A clergyman is a beneficiary of messages communicated to him by the faithful of his community. The messages come from confession, but also from alternative sources, like pastoral conversations. The faithful tell their priest about difficult matters concerning them and ask for advice. The Canon Law guarantees the seal of confession and the right of the faithful to have their intimacy respected. The Polish law acknowledges and tolerates the fact of the seriousness of messages communicated to a clergyman and discharges the latter from the duty of making a statement at the court. However, the question of protection of the same messages by other people remains open to interpretation. Third parties can participate in confessions or in pastoral conversations, even if by chance. For the sake of the aim of the legal rule, which was accepted by the legislator, such people should also enjoy the same tolerance of the law.

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