Washington State Reverses Course on Priest Confession Reporting Law
Washington state has agreed not to enforce a controversial law requiring Catholic priests to report abuse confessions, ending a legal battle and addressing religious freedom concerns from church officials.
Washington court blocks confession law after priests sue
World News Group
Overview
- Washington state officials agreed to a permanent injunction, ending a legal battle over a new state law that would have compelled Catholic priests to report abuse confessions.
- The controversial Senate Bill 5375 aimed to require priests to disclose suspected child abuse or neglect learned during sacramental confession.
- The decision came after criticism from Roman Catholic Church officials and conservatives, who raised concerns about potential violations of religious freedom.
- The original law imposed severe penalties, including up to 364 days in jail and $5,000 fines, for clergy members failing to comply with the reporting mandate.
- The agreement allows priests to maintain the confidentiality of sacramental confession, with Jean Hill noting that abuse prevention and the seal of confession can coexist.
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FAQ
Proponents argued that including clergy among mandatory reporters would help ensure more instances of child abuse and neglect are reported to authorities, as clergy can sometimes have insights into situations of abuse that other reporters may not. School personnel, nurses, social service counselors, and psychologists are also mandatory reporters in Washington state, and adding clergy was seen as a way to broaden the network of those responsible for protecting children[1].
Clergy who failed to report known or suspected child abuse or neglect under the original law could face severe penalties, including up to 364 days in jail and a $5,000 fine.
According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, priests are strictly bound—under very severe penalties—to maintain absolute secrecy regarding sins confessed to them during the sacrament. Breaking this seal is considered a grave violation of church law, and priests can face excommunication for breaking the seal of confession[1].
Yes, clergy in Washington state remain mandatory reporters for child abuse and neglect unless the information is obtained solely during sacramental confession or similar confidential faith-based practices. The reporting requirement does not apply to information revealed solely in these contexts[1].
Religious liberty advocates and Catholic officials, including the Washington State Catholic Conference, strongly opposed the law because it did not provide an exemption for sacramental confession, which would have required priests to choose between violating church doctrine or breaking civil law. The recent agreement was praised as a balanced approach that respects both child protection efforts and religious freedom[1].
History
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