Many faiths embrace clergy-penitent confidentiality. But at LDS Church-owned BYU, new hires must waive this right and have no apparent avenue for pastoral counseling.
But now wording has been added to the agreement candidates must sign, authorizing the Ecclesiastical Clearance Office at church headquarters to “contact” their lay leaders to determine their “worthiness” for employment at BYU. Candidates must agree that their bishops can disclose “matters that priesthood leaders would otherwise keep confidential…to the extent the confidential matters relate to the standards of employment.
How exactly can a biology professor, calculus teacher or bowling instructor teach their academic subjects “bathed in the light and color of the restored gospel”? And what does it mean if they question that they should? Could employees who question scriptural historicity or undergoing a faith crisis talk to their bishops without being worried about job security?
It only narrows the scope, Austin says, if the school or church is “willing to provide a list of topics for ecclesiastical discussion that would not affect standards of employment.” BYU spokesperson Carri Jenkins confirmed the wording of the contract, and the church declined to comment on how that might affect pastoral counseling for instructors and staff.
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