Catholic Dictionary
Find accurate definitions of over 5,000 Catholic terms and phrases (including abbreviations). Based on Fr. John Hardon's Modern Catholic Dictionary, © Eternal Life. Used with permission.
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CONFIDENTIALITY
The quality of a verbal or written communication by which the sender wants the matter communicated to be kept secret. The moral obligation to keep the matter confidential depends on the: 1. sender's right to require confidentiality; 2. receiver's agreement; 3. nature of what is communicated; 4. difficulty of keeping the matter secret; and 5. possible harm caused by confidentiality. (Etym. Latin confidere: con-, together + fidere, to trust.)
