Was the Deacon Duped?

A Case Study on the Necessity of Confidentiality

            In the fall of the 1990, two female high school graduates who belonged to New Jerusalem Baptist Church in Chicago left and matriculated at California State University at Northridge.  The young ladies grew up together in this church.  In fact, they had attended the same high school.  Elizabeth Grimes was the daughter of a stalwart member of the Senior Usher Board.  Sheila Micawber was the daughter of Deacon Uriah Micawber who had previously served as Chairperson of the Diaconate.

          Elizabeth and Sheila chose to room together at Northridge.  Their families agreed to and were pleased by this arrangement.  This rooming situation went well for the first year.  In the fall of the second year, unbeknownst to Elizabeth, Sheila began to date and become sexually active with Elizabeth’s boyfriend.  When Elizabeth learned of this situation, she severed the friendship and the rooming arrangement.  Additionally, she publicly denounced Sheila for her deeds.  She called home to her family and others at New Jerusalem to tell them of this ordeal.  A combination of guilt, exposure, loss of the friendship, and other factors eventually led Sheila to attempt suicide.  The intervention of the youth minister at New Jerusalem and school authorities prevented Sheila’s ultimate success in taking her life.

          In addition to the youth minister, Sheila’s mother, the Senior Pastor, the Assistant Pastor, the Associate Pastor for Young Adults and a few members of the Diaconate knew the details of the “betrayal” and suicide attempt.  However, Deacon Uriah Micawber was never told any of the significant details. 

          The clergy and deacons who knew of the predicament reasoned that the principles and ethics of priest-penitent confidentiality prevented them from sharing anything they knew with their colleague.  Were they justified in their rationale and choice?

          Summarily, was the deacon duped?