Washington state forces priests to breach confessional seal under new law
- Catholic bishops in Washington state filed a federal lawsuit challenging a law that requires clergy to report suspected child abuse, including information learned during confession.
- The law signed on May 2, expands mandatory reporting responsibilities to clergy, unlike most states that protect the confidentiality of confession.
- The bishops argue the law infringes on religious freedom and compromises the trust essential to the sacrament of confession.
In a significant legal challenge, on May 29, 2025, Catholic bishops in Washington state filed a federal lawsuit in Tacoma against a new law requiring priests to report suspected child abuse even if it is disclosed during confession. This legislation, signed by Governor Bob Ferguson on May 2, 2025, under Senate Bill 5375, eliminates any exception for the confidentiality inherent in the confessional seal. The lawsuit argues that this requirement infringes upon religious freedom, mandating clergy to violate long-standing Church teachings that have been upheld for nearly 2,000 years. The bishops, represented by the Becket religious liberty firm, emphasize the severe implications of this law. Should they choose to comply, they risk excommunication from the Church, which fundamentally conflicts with their oaths as religious leaders. Alternatively, noncompliance could result in criminal penalties, including jail time and fines. The bishops contend that the legislation represents a form of religious discrimination that violates their First Amendment rights. The law extends the obligation to report to various religious leaders and does not target only Catholic priests. Legislative sponsor Democratic State Senator Noel Frame noted that her push for the bill was motivated by disturbing revelations of child sexual abuse cover-ups by Jehovah's Witnesses. However, the bishops highlight that the Catholic Church, having faced its own controversies related to child abuse, should not be placed in this position, claiming that the law could jeopardize the trust essential to the sacramental nature of confession. Despite the serious accusations aimed at the Church, Governor Ferguson expressed disappointment over the lawsuit. He defended the legislation as vital for protecting children and underscored that understanding the confessional relationship did not deter him from supporting this mandatory reporting bill. The criticism from the Trump administration, which has launched its investigation into the law, frames it as anti-Catholic, yet the complexities surrounding the issue reveal a deeper societal conflict between protecting vulnerable children and upholding religious traditions.