Catholic priests in Washington face excommunication if they obey a new law requiring them to report child abuse confessions. The Church says this violates sacred confidentiality and the Constitution.
Key Facts:
- Washington Governor Bob Ferguson signed a law requiring clergy to report child abuse, even if disclosed in confession.
- The Archdiocese of Seattle says priests will be excommunicated if they break the seal of confession.
- The law takes effect on July 26 and offers no religious exemptions.
- The U.S. Department of Justice has opened a civil rights investigation into potential First Amendment violations.
- Washington joins a small number of states that do not exempt confession from mandatory reporting laws.
The Rest of The Story:
Washington state has added clergy to its mandatory reporter list for child abuse and neglect.
This means priests must report any abuse they learn about—even in confession.
Governor Bob Ferguson signed the law last week, and it goes into effect July 26.
The Catholic Church maintains confession is confidential. Breaking that seal, the Church says, results in excommunication.
The Archdiocese of Seattle says it supports child protection but will not allow priests to break Church law.
The Department of Justice is now investigating the law.
Officials say it may violate religious freedom under the First Amendment.
Mandating priests as reporters exploits the confidential nature of the confessional. It effectively turns priests into extensions of law enforcement. Since priests won’t comply, the only result will be to deter abusers from confessing, undermining a central tenet of Catholicism. https://t.co/cjw31qqDTJ
— Laura Powell (@LauraPowellEsq) May 3, 2025
Commentary:
This case presents a difficult choice between protecting children and respecting religious liberty.
Confession is central to the Catholic faith.
If that trust is broken, people may stop confessing serious sins.
That could eliminate opportunities for abusers to be urged toward repentance or justice.
At the same time, shielding confessions might mean children remain at risk.
When clergy keep silent, they could be enabling future abuse.
This law forces a tough conversation—and possibly a court decision—about where the balance lies.
The Bottom Line:
Washington’s new law challenges the Catholic Church’s centuries-old rule of confession secrecy.
Priests now must choose between obeying civil law or their faith.
The courts and the Justice Department will likely decide if this law stands or falls.
The debate reflects a growing clash between religious practice and state authority.
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