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Can/Should You Tell Your Congregant’s Secrets?
Orginally published on Monday, December 17, 2007 at 9:17 AM
by Todd Rhoades
A pastor who says Stacy Peterson confided in him a few weeks before she went missing spilled details of their alleged conversation on national TV a few days ago. Was that ethical? That pastor, Neil Schori of the Naperville Christian Church, isn't talking now. But the president of the seminary that trained him says he can't imagine "what would prompt that breach of confidentiality." Keith Roy, president of Lincoln Christian College and Seminary in Downstate Lincoln, said the school is now using Schori's actions as a case study to train pastors on what not to do.
This article from the Chicago Sun-Time continues…
“The confidentiality clause for pastors is real clear,” he told the Sun-Times.
Schori is a former pastor at Westbrook Church in Bolingbrook, occasionally attended by Peterson, 23, and her ex-cop husband, Drew Peterson, 53, a suspect in his wife’s October disappearance. Peterson says his wife had a crush on Schori.
Schori said Stacy Peterson called him in August. He agreed to meet her at a coffee shop.
“That’s inappropriate,” said John Koessler of Moody Bible Institute. “It takes what should be a professional relationship and sets it in a social context.”
Plus, there’s a matter of privacy. People could see and possibly overhear, he said.
Schori said Peterson blurted out that her husband had killed his third wife, Kathleen Savio. Savio’s 2004 death was ruled an accidental bathtub drowning then, but is being reinvestigated.
Schori said he feared for Stacy Peterson, but didn’t contact authorities until she disappeared. At that point, he also talked to the media—a move that some Christian ethicists question.
“If a person is in imminent danger, that supersedes confidentiality,” said Vincent Bacote of the Center for Applied Ethics at Wheaton College. “Calling the police is a lot different than going on CNN.”
Schori said that he didn’t take action earlier because he didn’t want to put Peterson at risk.
“Ultimately, it was her call because it was her situation,” he told the Sun-Times recently.
Stephanie Love-Patterson of the Chicago Abused Women Coalition said that abused women often suffer in silence. By the time they tell someone, their situation is critical.
FOR DISCUSSION: How do you come down on this one? When is it right to go to the authorities? When are you legally bound to? (according to your state) And what would you have done in this pastor’s situation?
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There are 8 Comments:
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Posted by Peter Hamm
Monday, December 17, 2007 at 11:57 AM
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Posted by Josh R
Monday, December 17, 2007 at 1:21 PM
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Posted by Camey
Monday, December 17, 2007 at 1:53 PM
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Posted by Peter Hamm
Monday, December 17, 2007 at 2:47 PM
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Monday, December 17, 2007 at 2:49 PM
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Monday, December 17, 2007 at 3:23 PM
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Posted by Brian E
Monday, December 17, 2007 at 4:58 PM
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Posted by Camey
Monday, December 17, 2007 at 5:06 PM
Post Your Comments:It is REALLY important to maintain confidentiality.
However, one line struck me here. “Schori said Peterson blurted out that her husband had killed his third wife, Kathleen Savio.” WOW! Sounds like it’s time to call the authorities at that point.
Well, I am not a pastor, but I do have a question about this.
Is Confidentiality a Biblical idea? Or is it a man made idea? I think there is a biblical mandate not to gossip, but we are also called to walk in the light..
Definitely agree with: “Calling the police is a lot different than going on CNN.”
Josh,
I wonder, if we are called to love one another, and to trust in one another in that friendship, how would that be possible if you think that any secret you tell a friend might be revealed to the whole world?
it seems to me he did not act fast enough , it might have saved her life,murder is a lot different from adultury, or stealing, [ my two cents worth.]
There are things from where we stand right now that make his actions look horrible. I agree he shouldn’t have talked to the media. But I’m not sure about the police and I certainly don’t see meeting someone at a coffee shop as being unprofessional. I’ve been doing ministry now for more than 2 decades and have had people tell me many things that if they had come true I would have looked horrible for not telling. I used my best judgement and helped them work through the mess. I’ve met women in coffee shops just so we are in publc and avoid the appearance of anyting being wrong.
What about the Moody guy criticizing the meeting location? Do you all agree? For instance, I’m a youth pastor and will often meet with kids at a coffee shop, especially when there is no one else at the church building. (I’m at a relatively small church.) Seems to me like a good way to avoid being alone with a student...could this be a similar situation? Is that such a clear cut rule as Koessler implies?
Brian,
I definitely do not agree with Koessler. Jesus was out and about meeting with people… He did not say, “Call my office and make an appointment.” He talked with people where they were at… where they could be found.
And as I’m sure you can testify to as well… more people are comfortable in talking at coffee shops than in an office any way.
You were just prayed for…
Camey
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