LOUISIANA
National Catholic Reporter
Thomas Reese | Jul. 8, 2014 NCR Today
The Louisiana Supreme Court has issued a decision that may require a priest to violate the secrecy of the confessional.
The case involves the possible confession of a 12-year-old minor who allegedly was abused by a church parishioner in 2008. The complaint says that she told the priest during three separate confessions of her abuse, which involved inappropriate touching, kissing and saying that he wanted to make love to her.
Her parents are suing the priest, Rev. Jeff Bayhi, and the Diocese of Baton Rouge, because he did not report the abuse, which continued after the confessions. The alleged abuser died of a heart attack in 2009 during the criminal investigation.
According to the Times-Picayune, the parents of the minor claim that the priest told her to deal with it herself because “too many people would be hurt.” The girl reports, “He just said, ‘This is your problem. Sweep it under the floor.'”
The parents want the priest to testify whether the confession took place and what was said. The priest and the diocese say he cannot reveal what was said in confession.
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