case study
rawls25
casestudy1.docxEthical Case Scenario #1
John who is a 21-year-old college student wanted to discuss some spiritual concerns with Pastor Mark that resulted from some challenges he recently faced in college. John has attended Pastor Mark’s church since he was a young child as he and his parents have enjoyed Pastor Mark’s messages over the years. Pastor Mark also happens to be a licensed counselor wherein he meets his clients at the church. Pastor Mark agrees to meet with John, and they both decide to meet at the church as it is a place that is convenient and familiar. With John discussing his spiritual concerns, he appears to benefit from the time with Pastor Mark over the first three meetings; however, in the fourth meeting, John comes across as very nervous, and Pastor Mark asked about John’s nervousness. John asked Pastor Mark if he could share something in confidence, and Pastor Mark stated, “Of course.” John shared that he sexually molested his 12-year-old nephew about 3 months ago and felt deep shame about what happened and had never done anything like this before. In the state where John and Pastor Mark live, a licensed counselor is known as a “mandated reporter” wherein sexual molestation of a child must be reported to the proper authorities. However, the state also has laws known as clergy-penitent privilege where pastors can keep things in confidence that church members share with them. In essence, Pastor Mark is not required to disclose information that John shared with him.
Based on the above scenario, answer each numbered item below with a ½ page to 1-page double-spaced response. Use this document and type your answers below each question and submit to Blackboard when completed.
1. What do you see as the ethical dilemma(s) in this specific ethical case scenario? As part of your response, include what you see is happening that leads you to see them as ethical dilemma(s). (Share as many dilemmas that you see based on what is noted in the case. It might help to think of the layers related to the case. For example, the dynamic between the John and Pastor Mark; the dynamic between John and his nephew, what the law says about the pastoral role, what the law says about the licensed counselor role, and so forth. There are more layers, but this is to help get you thinking about the case details.)
2. Referencing the NOHS Ethical Standards for Human Professionals, what are three codes that could apply to this scenario? As part of your response, include code themes, and share how they could apply to the scenario.
3. Imagine that you are Pastor Mark in the above scenario. What would be your initial reaction to this situation? How do you think you would proceed in such a situation?
4. Using proper citation format for a direct quote, share one direct quote from the ethics textbook for this course that could relate to the above scenario, and share why you think this quote is pertinent. (Reference not required, and response does not have to be ½ page.)
