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.
44 Articles
44 Articles
Judge temporarily blocks law that would make clergy members report abuse
A federal judge has ruled to temporarily block a Washington state law that would force clergy members to report child abuse, even if it’s revealed during a confession. It comes after members of the Catholic Church, along with the Justice Department, took legal action against the state and the law last month. Senate Bill 5375 That bill passed the Washington State Legislature and was signed into law by Gov. Bob Ferguson in May. The new law is set …
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.
Colorado Springs Gazette
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…
The Center Square
thebesttimes.comFederal 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.
washingtonstatestandard.com
Dailyfly - Lewis Clark Valley NewsJudge blocks WA requirement for priests to report child abuse disclosed in confession
(Getty Images) Catholic priests in Washington cannot be required to report child abuse or neglect they learn of in confession, a federal judge ruled Friday. U.S. District Court Chief Judge David G. Estudillo granted a preliminary injunction sought by three Catholic bishops, temporarily blocking enforcement of a controversial element in a new state law set to take effect July 27. Estudillo ruled that requiring disclosure of information priests h…
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