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Confessor

Defined in 5 dictionaries — Cyclopedic (1922), Ballentine's (1916), Bouvier (1914), Black's (1910), Bouvier (1839)

The Cyclopedic Law Dictionary

Walter A. Shumaker and George Foster Longsdorf; ed. James C. Cahill · 1922

A priest of some Christian sect, who receives an account of the sins of his people, and undertakes to give them absolution of their sins. The common law does not recognize any such relation, at least so as to exempt or prevent the confessor from disclosing such communications as are made to him in this capacity, when he is called upon as a witness in a court of justice.

Ballentine's Law Dictionary

James A. Ballentine · 1916

A priest who hears confessions.

Bouvier's Law Dictionary and Concise Encyclopedia

John Bouvier; revised by Francis Rawle · 1914

A priest of some Christian church who hears confessions of their sins by members of his church and undertakes to give them absolution of their sins. The common law does not recognize any such relation, at least so as to exempt or prevent the confessor from disclosing such communications as are made to him in this capacity, when he is called upon as a witness. See Confidential Communications.

Black's Law Dictionary

Henry Campbell Black, M.A. · 1910

An ecclesiastic who receives auricular confessions of sins from persons under his spiritual charge, and pronounces absolution upon them. The secrets of the confessional are not privileged communications at common law, but this has been changed by statute in some states. See 1 Greenl. Ev. §§ 247, 248.

A Law Dictionary, Adapted to the Constitution and Laws of the United States

John Bouvier · 1839

evid. A priest of some christian sects, who receives an account of the sins of his people, and undertakes to give them absolution of theirsins. The general rule on the subject of giving evidence of confidential communications is, that the privilege 1s confined to counsel, client. Vide Confidential Communications. Contrary to this general rule it has been decided in New York that a priest of the Roman catholic denomination could not be compelled to divulge secrets which he had received in auricular confession. 2 City. Hall Rec. 80, n.. CONFIDENTIAL COMMU-