Spiritual direction and confidentiality

[RPRPsych]

A question inspired by a recent and rather un-edifying kerfuffle in the Catholic world, and the book written about it…

Is a spiritual director’s relationship with his client (if that is the right word) subject to the same sort of confidentiality as a doctor-patient or therapist-client relationship, even when it extends to matters discussed outside the Sacrament of Confession?

And if this relationship ends, is the director still bound to secrecy as regards his dealings with his ex-client?

If so, then if the director violates this confidentiality (even if he believes he has just cause to do so), is he subject to any canonical penalties?

[The concrete case addressed in the book is:

Fr. X is Y’s spiritual director. Y runs an apostolate in which he has, at times, had Z as a “guest speaker”.
Fr. X and Y have a falling-out over what Fr. X perceives are gravely sinful actions on the part of Y.
Z then publishes a tell-all book which explicitly mentions Fr. X as the source, and discloses details, such as Y’s love of arson, murder, killing kittens and jaywalking, which were clearly discussed in one-on-one sessions of guidance or direction between Fr. X and Y.]

 

[robertmidwest]

This is nothing but my opinion…

In your example z is not bound by any confidentiality at all. He is a third party. Anything he says about what went on in direction would be heresay or gossip. He wasn’t there.

 

[claymcdermott]

Legally and ethically, the secrecy is the same as doc patient, and the clergyman never gets to discuss any of it.

 

[Monica4316]

I was told what I discuss in spiritual direction is treated like Confession in practical terms

 

[Usige]

Legally and ethically, the secrecy is the same as doc patient, and the clergyman never gets to discuss any of it.

I was told what I discuss in spiritual direction is treated like Confession in practical terms

I think much of that depends on who your spiritual director is. When talking to the vocations director about the pros and cons of selecting a priest vs deacon vs councillor as a spiritual director we were told there are differences and some grey areas.

A psychologist/councillor as a spiritual director can fall under the realm of professional confidentiality. A priest can also, but since spiritual direction is seperate from confession it does not have the same requirements under canon law regarding confidentiality. This was made clear when we were told that anything in confession that should be addressed in SD must be brought up seperately since after absolution the priest cannot bring it up without breaking the seal. Based on jurisdiction the law might not recognize any implied confidentially. If it is a deacon, we were told that there is no implied confidentially. This was in the context of being mandatory reporters for sexual abuse.

So it really depends on who the SD is and the situation. I think we can all request confidentiality, but in cases of crime the law does not always cover spiritual direction the same way as a more formal patient/doctor relationship.