supreme court of the philippines












Minister-Penitent Privilege

A minister or priest cannot, without the consent of the person making
the confession, be examined as to any confession made to or any advice
given by him in his professional character in the course of discipline
enjoined by the church to which the minister or priest belongs.


The disqualification due to privilege communications between ministers
or priests and penitents require that the same were made pursuant to
a religious duty enjoined in the course of discipline of the sect or
denomination to which they belong and must be confidential and
penitential in character. Example: under seal of the confessional.