Opinion ID: 1969742
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: application of the clergy-communicant privilege in this case

Text: In support of its Motion to Quash the subpoena, the Diocese alleged that the subject documents would have been obtained in confidence by the Bishop or other clergy in the course of their duties as clergy and would be maintained in the confidential diocesan archives. Specifically, the Diocese filed an affidavit of its Chancellor in support of its Motion that provides in part: A diocesan bishop possesses all the ordinary, proper and immediate power which is required for the exercise of his pastoral office. (C. 381). In the exercise of his pastoral office, the diocesan bishop is to extend his apostolic spirit to all of the Christian faithful committed to his care to provide for their spiritual needs. (C. 383).       The bishop fulfills these duties in conjunction with his priests, over whom he exercises hierarchical authority. Thus, a bishop maintains a special relationship with his priests. He provides primary support and guidance for them concerning their spiritual lives and the faithful performance of their mission within the Church. Free, frank and confidential communication between the bishop and his priests must be protected so that the bishop can fulfill his obligations to his priests and the faithful under the prescriptions of Canon Law. A bishop must be able to candidly discuss with a priest his character, talents, spiritual life, health, and pastoral or familial problems and concerns in order to be able to assign the priest to compatible duties and to provide him with appropriate guidance in the conduct of his affairs and ministry to the faithful. R.R. at 14a-15a. The Chancellor's affidavit refers only to the hierarchical structure of the Roman Catholic Church and in general terms to the Bishop's duties. The affidavit fails to indicate whether the precise information subject to the discovery request was, in fact, acquired by the Bishop or Diocesan representatives secretly and in confidence while acting in their capacity as confessors or spiritual advisors. We cannot assume that all communications with or between members of the clergy occur in confidence and for confessional or spiritual purposes. The affidavit fails to explain why Reverend Heineman's personal records, correspondence, diaries and other similar documents are protected by the clergy-communicant privilege. Additionally, the Diocese has not demonstrated how any letters, reports or records relating to allegations of misconduct or substance abuse of Reverend Heineman, particularly documents reflecting investigations of misconduct or disciplinary actions, fall within the protection of the privilege. Because the Diocese failed to adequately establish that the requested information is protected by the clergy-communicant privilege, the trial court and the Superior Court properly directed the Diocese to produce the documents to the trial court for an in camera review. [4] See Pennsylvania v. Ritchie, 480 U.S. 39, 107 S.Ct. 989, 94 L.Ed.2d 40 (1987) ( in camera review of child protective service records serves defendant's interest in fair trial without eviscerating confidentiality of child abuse investigations); Hutchison; Commonwealth v. Cody, 401 Pa.Super. 85, 584 A.2d 992, allocatur denied, 527 Pa. 622, 592 A.2d 42 (1991)( in camera inspection of sexual assault counselor's records proper although testimonial privilege of counselor is absolute); see also In re Grand Jury Investigation ( in camera proceeding appropriate to determine applicability of federal clergy-communicant privilege). We hold that to the extent the requested documents reflect relevant disciplinary action, investigations of misconduct, substance abuse treatment and/or non-confessional admissions of misconduct by Reverend Heineman, they are discoverable.