Arizona Supreme Court denies pastor's claim of clergy privilege over abuse confession

In Phoenix, the Arizona Supreme Court affirmed a trial-court decision that a pastor could not rely on clergy-penitent privilege to keep a hidden recording from being disclosed. The tape captures the pastor confessing to his co-pastor and brother-in-law that he had secretly watched the co-pastor’s 13-year-old niece while she showered and had hugged, kissed, and touched her. Although the pastor claimed the conversation was a professional confession, the court concluded the discussion was aimed at protecting his reputation, minimizing potential consequences and even considering fleeing law enforcement, indicating it was not a genuine confession.

The justices therefore ruled the privilege did not apply, allowing the evidence to be used. This ruling highlights the limits of clergy-penitent privilege in cases involving self-preservation and sexual abuse allegations.