US EditionFederal Judge Enjoins Washington Law Requiring Priests to Report Confessions
WASHINGTON STATE, JUL 18 – Federal Judge David Estudillo ruled the law likely violates the First Amendment, blocking enforcement that threatened priests with jail and fines for not reporting abuse disclosed in confession.
- On Tuesday, a federal judge temporarily blocked enforcement of Washington’s new legislation that compels clergy to disclose child abuse information obtained during confession.
- In May, Gov. Bob Ferguson approved a law that came after investigative journalism revealed decades of child abuse cover-ups within a religious community, despite strong objections from Catholic officials.
- Catholic bishops contend that the legislation infringes upon their religious freedoms protected by the First Amendment by compelling priests to disclose confessional information, an action that results in automatic excommunication according to church doctrine.
- Governor Ferguson supports the bill as child protection, stating disappointment over the church's lawsuit, while the Department of Justice investigates the law, echoing constitutional concerns.
- The injunction delays enforcement of the law set for July 27, leaving the constitutional dispute unresolved and the state's mandatory reporting framework under legal challenge.
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Washington law on clergy abuse reporting put on hold amidst lawsuit
Washington – A federal judge granted a preliminary injunction for Washington Roman Catholic priests exempting them from a law that would require them break the seal of confession and report child abuse or neglect.
·Spokane, United States
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Colorado Springs Gazette+3 Reposted by 3 other sources
Federal judge blocks anti-Catholic Washington law
A federal judge on Friday blocked a Washington state law requiring Catholic priests to report suspected child abuse or neglect, including any information they learn from sacramental confession, raising concerns about religious liberty. The law, Senate Bill 5375, was slated…
·Colorado Springs, United States
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Federal judge blocks WA law requiring clergy to report abuse learned in confession
(The Center Square) – A federal court on Friday blocked a new Washington state law requiring religious leaders in the state to report child abuse or neglect, even when it’s disclosed in confession.
·United States
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Coverage Details
Total News Sources37
Leaning Left4Leaning Right14Center7Last UpdatedBias Distribution56% Right
Bias Distribution
- 56% of the sources lean Right
56% Right
L 16%
C 28%
R 56%
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