No confessions to cops: Court blocks Washington law forcing priest to report child abuse; says priestly revelations remain sacred

A federal court struck down a Washington state law last Friday that would have forced catholic priests to report child abuse even if the information came through confession.

District judge David Estudillo said the law clearly interfered with religious freedom, placing priests in an impossible spot of either following their faith or breaking the law. “There’s no question the law burdens the free exercise of religion,” he wrote.

The law was passed earlier this year and signed by governor Robert Ferguson. It added clergy to the state’s list of mandatory abuse reporters. But unlike doctors or lawyers, priests weren’t given an exemption for private confessional conversations. Judge Estudillo noted this made the law biased, not neutral, and unfairly targeted religion.

Over two dozen other US states already allow exceptions for confessions, and the judge pointed out Washington could have done the same, reported CNA.

The lawsuit was filed by the state’s catholic bishops and had wide support — from the US conference of catholic bishops to orthodox churches and even the US department of justice.

A catholic clergy group representing priests from the US, UK, and Australia said the move disrespected religious practice while preserving legal confidentiality for doctors and lawyers.