US EditionWashington law mandating clergy report child abuse to be investigated by Trump’s Justice Department
- On May 2, 2025, Washington state passed Senate Bill 5375, which requires religious leaders to disclose any suspected cases of child abuse, including details learned during confession, with the law set to take effect on July 27.
- This legislation followed years of debate aimed at closing reporting loopholes to better protect children and added clergy to the state's mandatory reporters list.
- Catholic leaders warn reporting abuse learned during confession violates canon law, threatens excommunication, and they have vowed to oppose the law despite potential legal consequences.
- The federal Department of Justice launched a civil rights investigation calling the law 'anti-Catholic' and asserting it violates the First Amendment’s free exercise clause.
- The conflict highlights a tense balance between religious freedom and child protection, with possible legal and policy implications for similar laws in other states.
45 Articles
45 Articles
Sacramental Snitches: Church to Excommunicate any Priests Complying with Washington State Law
We previously discussed the legislation passed by Washington State democrats that requires priests to violate the sanctity of the confessional to report child abuse. I described the law as “blatantly unconstitutional” in eviscerating the right to the free exercise of religion. The state is moving to create an effective system of sacramental snitches and the Catholic Church is declaring “enough.” It has announced that any priest who complies with…
Washington State Declares War on Religion, Especially Catholics
Gov. Bob Ferguson ignored pleas from Catholic priests and signed a new law stripping members of the clergy of their ability to hear confessions as “privileged communication.” I may not be a lawyer, but that clearly violates the 1st Amendment. The state legislature passed SB 5375, targeting the confessional and requiring priests and ministers to report any […] The post Washington State Declares War on Religion, Especially Catholics appeared first…
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