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The Catholic Church has announced that priests in Washington state will face excommunication if they comply with a new law requiring them to report child abuse confessions to authorities. The law, signed by Governor Bob Ferguson on Friday (May 2), mandates clergy to report child abuse or neglect, without exceptions for confessions made during the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
The Archdiocese of Seattle emphasized that priests are bound by the seal of confession, which prohibits them from disclosing any information learned during confessions. "Catholic clergy may not violate the seal of confession — or they will be excommunicated from the Church," the Archdiocese stated. The Church supports protecting children and preventing abuse but insists that the confidentiality of confessions must remain intact.
The new law has sparked a federal investigation by the U.S. Department of Justice's Civil Rights Division, which is examining potential First Amendment violations. Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon stated that the law forces priests to choose between their faith and legal compliance, infringing on religious freedoms.
Despite the Church's objections, Governor Ferguson is committed to the law, aiming to enhance child protection. The law, which takes effect on July 26, makes Washington one of the few states without exemptions for clergy in mandatory reporting laws.
The Archdiocese of Seattle and other religious leaders argue that the law represents government overreach and a breach of the separation between church and state. They fear it sets a precedent for further interference in religious practices. The Church remains dedicated to working with authorities to prevent abuse but insists that confessional confidentiality is non-negotiable.