In U.S. state, RCC priests officially required to break seal of confession

Catholic confession. Photo: media.istockphoto.com

On May 2, 2025, the U.S. state of Washington passed a law requiring priests to report any cases of child abuse, including information obtained during confession. Catholic bishops stated that they are prepared to go to prison rather than break the seal of confession, according to Tribune Chretienne.

The bill was passed with 64 votes to 31 in the House of Representatives and 28 to 20 in the Senate, and it provides no exceptions. It is set to take effect in July.

RCC bishops announced that they would not be able to comply with it.

"Catholic clergy cannot break the seal of confession – otherwise, they will be excommunicated from the Church," noted Archbishop Paul Etienne of Seattle in a statement on May 4.

The archbishop believes the newly adopted law is an attack on the very essence of the Catholic faith.

"This law is clearly aimed against religion and represents both an abuse of state power and a blatant violation of the separation of church and state. That line has been crossed, and we must return," said Paul Etienne.

Bishop Thomas Daly of Spokane asserted that "Catholic bishops and priests are prepared to go to prison rather than break the seal of the sacrament."

Archbishop Etienne warned about the precedent this law sets: "What will the state demand tomorrow? The right to break doctor-patient confidentiality? Marital confidentiality?"

It is noted that throughout American history, freedom of religion has always protected the sacrament of confession. In 2016, the Louisiana Supreme Court declared a similar law unconstitutional.

As previously reported by the UOJ, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld Trump's ban on transgender military service.

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