§ 9-17-23 - Privileged communications to clergy. - Rhode Island Statutes

SECTION 9-17-23

   § 9-17-23  Privileged communications toclergy. – In the trial of every cause, both civil and criminal, no member of the clergyor priest shall be competent to testify concerning any confession made to himor her in his or her professional character in the course of disciplineenjoined by the church to which he or she belongs, without the consent of theperson making the confession. No duly ordained minister of the gospel, priest,or rabbi of any denomination shall be allowed in giving testimony to discloseany confidential communication, properly entrusted to him or her in his or herprofessional capacity, and necessary and proper to enable him or her todischarge the functions of his or her office in the usual course of practice ordiscipline, without the consent of the person making the communication.