[As published in the Christian Science Sentinel, December 31, 1932]
Occasionally Christian Science practitioners are called upon to give testimony in Court regarding their patients. Sometimes the testimony desired from them does not involve the information which came to them by reason of their relationship of practitioner to patient. At other times, however, practitioners are asked questions the answers to which would violate the provisions of the By-Law, Article VIII, Section 22, of the Church Manual.
Courts have generally respected the position of Christian Science practitioners, that the confidential communications of patients should not be disclosed. In a recent will case, when the first witness, who was a practitioner, raised the question, the Court immediately said that if that rule is a part of the discipline of the Church to which the practitioner belongs, the Court would hold that the communication from the patient was confidential and could not be disclosed. The Court's statement had a bearing on other witnesses called who had given treatment to the deceased.
