Arizona Court Affirms Clergy Privilege in Child Abuse Lawsuit.
The Arizona Supreme Court has upheld the clergy privilege of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, allowing it to refuse to answer questions or turn over documents under a state law that exempts religious officials from having to report child sex abuse if they learn of the crime during a confessional setting. The ruling was issued in a lawsuit filed by child sex abuse victims accusing the church, two of its bishops, and other church members of conspiracy and negligence in not reporting church member Paul Adams for abusing his older daughter as early as 2010.