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	Priest Explains Reporting Crime By Brad Bauer Marietta Times September 28, 2007 http://www.mariettatimes.com/news/story/new33_928200783620.asp A Lowell man who pleaded guilty this week to sexually abusing an infant was arrested after a conversation with a priest was relayed to police. The issue raises questions about when a conversation with a clergy member is privileged. On Tuesday, Leroy Skinner Sr., 68, of 8225 Muskingum River Road, pleaded guilty in Washington County Common Pleas Court to sexually abusing a 6-month-old child in 2006. The Rev. Tim Huffman of Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church said Skinner and his wife approached him about the sex abuse last month, nearly 18 months after the incident. The priest said he was required to report the crime because the confession came outside of the Sacrament of Penance, a sealed conversation in which sins are confessed and forgiven. Under no circumstance are priests allowed to discuss anything that comes out during a true confession, Huffman said. Outside the confessional, priests are mandated reporters, meaning they are required by law to report any crime against a child. "Had he made the admission of guilt in the Sacrament of Penance, I could not have, under any circumstance whatsoever, revealed the contents of that confession to anyone, via any means, at any time or in any place," Huffman said. Huffman said Skinner was not seeking forgiveness. "He did not approach me asking that I hear his confession in order that he obtain absolution," Huffman said. "Furthermore, had he been going to confession, his wife would not have been permitted to be present." After discussing the incident, Huffman said he told Skinner the only moral choice was to admit his guilt to authorities. He said his advice would have been the same had the conversation occurred under the Sacrament of Penance. "(During a confession) I could argue the need for someone to turn themself in, but I could not make them, and I could not withhold absolution if that person was truly sorry and wished not to do it again," Huffman said. Because their conversation was outside the confessional, Huffman said he was obligated to report the crime. "I offered Mr. Skinner the opportunity to make the call himself; he declined," Huffman said. "I made the call immediately from the rectory with Mr. Skinner's knowledge." Police interviewed Skinner and said he made full verbal and written confessions to inappropriately touching the child. After pleading guilty Tuesday, he faces up to 18 months in prison and will be required to register as a sex offender for 25 years upon his release. Assistant Washington County Prosecutor Alison Cauthorn said there are times when conversations between an individual and a priest are protected and cannot be used in court. The Sacrament of Penance is one of those. "The term 'confession' in your world and mine is completely different than 'confession' in the religious sense," Cauthorn said. "We talk about confessions all day long, but they are completely different than the religious sacrament." Still, Cauthorn said not every conversation between an individual and a priest is privileged. Huffman said the distinction is important because violating the seal of the confessional would be a serious breach of church law. "I, of course, do not want anyone to think that I would ever consider doing such a thing," Huffman said. Contact: bbauer@mariettatimes.com
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