Protection of the seal of confession in the law of civil procedure and criminal proceedings

This paper focuses on the issue of the different constructions of the law of civil procedure and criminal proceedings in reference to protection of the seal of confession. The analysis includes a review of the basic constitutional condition of the guarantee of the freedom of conscience and religion, as well as the detailed problems concerning the procedural status of clergy of various churches and religious associations within which there is individual confession. Furthermore, the authors also discuss the significant issue of the procedural status of other persons who have consciously or accidentally obtained information relayed to a member of the clergy during confession and the need to regulate their rights and obligations as witnesses in civil and criminal cases.