Pubdate: Wed, 09 Apr 2003
Source: Hattiesburg American (MS)
Copyright: 2003 Hattiesburg American
Contact:  http://www.hattiesburgamerican.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1646
Author: Maxine B. Coleman
MAP Editor Note:  The pastor  would not reveal the identity of a 
parishioner who brought him a stash of found drugs because he could not 
betray a confidence.

PASTOR CORRECT TO WITHHOLD NAME

This letter is being written because I would like you all (the Hattiesburg 
American, as well as the general public) to know that I support pastor 
Fairley wholeheartedly.

In the Catholic church the priest attends his parishioners in the 
confessional, and this is considered sacred and he does not have to divulge 
the conversation, even if it is unlawful. In the Baptist church the pastor 
attends his parishioners in his office.

The sanctity of his office is the same as the confessional the priest 
counsels in.

Just like the psychologist or psychiatrist, the church has a responsibility 
to uphold the confidentiality of the people being counseled. If 
people/parishioners feel that you are not trustworthy or that their 
conversations will be repeated, you will lose not only the confidence 
placed in you, you will also lose all credibility - as pastor Fairley 
stated on WDAM-TV.

I have never been more proud of pastor Fairley as I was seeing him standing 
up as usual for other people and what he believes in.

Maxine B. Coleman

Hattiesburg 
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MAP posted-by: Beth