Tex. R. Evid. 505

TEXAS RULES OF EVIDENCE (September 1, 2025) Rule 505 — Privilege For Communications to a Clergy Member ARTICLE V. — PRIVILEGES Rule 505: Privilege For Communications to a Clergy Member (a) Definitions. In this rule: (1) A “clergy member” is a minister, priest, rabbi, accredited Christian Science Practitioner, or other similar functionary of a religious organization or someone whom a communicant reasonably believes is a clergy member. (2) A “communicant” is a person who consults a clergy member in the clergy member’s professional capacity as a spiritual adviser. (3) A communication is “confidential” if made privately and not intended for further disclosure except to other persons present to further the purpose of the communication. (b) General Rule. A communicant has a privilege to refuse to disclose and to prevent any other person from disclosing a confidential communication by the communicant to a clergy member in the clergy member’s professional capacity as spiritual adviser. (c) Who May Claim. The privilege may be claimed by: (1) the communicant; (2) the communicant’s guardian or conservator; or (3) a deceased communicant’s personal representative. The clergy member to whom the communication was made may claim the privilege on the communicant’s behalf—and is presumed to have authority to do so. Source: Texas Supreme Court — txcourts.gov | Effective September 1, 2025 Page 1