Local legal experts are expecting a big battle over increasing laws to force Catholic priests to report allegations of child sexual assault learned in confession.
Both sides appear to be digging in.
"This is going to be World War Three," Legal Analyst Tim Meche said. "I don't think the Catholic is going to give an inch on this. They are going to fight this all the way to the US Supreme Court."
LSU Constitutional Law Professor Emeritus John Baker agrees the High Court could well be where this has to be settled.
"Of course, everything seems to end up there, right?"
It could lead to a better definition of the current status of the separation of church and state.
He says the church is not expected to bend on this issue, and if the states move to enforce the law, there will be a huge fight.
"I hope we are not headed towards a great confrontation, but if they insist, that is exactly what will happen."
Baker says clergy will very likely just accept the civil punishment before they break their vows.
"They will face absolute civil disobedience on that," he explained. "The priests will have to go to jail."
The Vatican today reiterated the church's position that nothing said in confession can ever be discussed outside the confessional.
- Click here for the bulletin from the Vatican...
- Click here to read details on that from Vatican News...
Father Francis Pizzarelli, who has been a priest for 40 years, tells us there would be serious consequences in the Church if he would break the seal of confession.
"I would betray my oath and run the risk of the Pope excommunicating me."
