Court Rules Confession Not Protected | Mesa News

Mesa News Today | 2 Min News | The Daily News Now! · Aug 18, 2026 · 1m

Arizona’s top court just shattered a sacred legal shield: a secret recording of a pastor admitting to abusing a 13-year-old can now be used in court — because it wasn’t a true religious confession. The key? The conversation wasn’t aimed at seeking spiritual absolution — it was about confessing wrongdoing and getting advice. The court ruled that clergy-penitent privilege only protects confessions meant for forgiveness, not casual admissions or counsel. Made by his brother-in-law, the recording captured the pastor saying “I know it’s not right,” and the court found no intent to seek absolution…