> "If a priest receives the confession of the killer in an unsolved mystery, he should report it to the police, religious pearl-clutching be damned." Confident

> "If a priest receives the confession of the killer in an unsolved mystery, he should report it to the police, religious pearl-clutching be damned." Confidentiality in such areas (also med/law) is usually restricted to past actions. If you confess you're going to kill someone, that does indeed have to be reported to the police. I doubt your local laws are different here. Thus to construct a better analogy we need ongoing harm that was initiated in the past but can only be shortened by taking action. Maybe a confession like "Just had an argument with my kid and imprisoned it in the basement without food and water. Will release it after two days". Now should this have to be reported to CPS? I'm not sure, but think I would favor yes.