by Joseph Grcic

Humanities/Philosophy

Clark, a clergy, spends a large amount of his time working with the young adults in his congregation, and is well acquainted with each of them. He emphasizes that he is always available if they need to talk. He has just learned by confession from Kent, a member of his congregation, that he, Kent, has committed a homosexual act and has acquired the HIV virus.

Kent is engaged to be married, and is much in love with his fiancee, Anne. He has not told his Anne that he is HIV positive, and states emphatically that he will not reveal his HIV status to her, as she has declared her repugnance for anyone so infected. Kent has told Clark about his problem, because he is very troubled, but is sure that Clark will not tell anyone, as he is bound by religious law not to reveal any information obtained in confession.

Clark knows that if he reveals this confidence, he will be committing an unforgivable sin that will likely cost him his position both in this life as well as in the next. However, he also is sure that Kent will infect Anne, and possibly their children to come with the HIV virus if Anne is not told.

Questions:

What should Clark do?

What should Kent do?

Can you think of any way to protect Anne without breaking the confessional silence?

Should the confessional rule hold in life-threatening situations?