Doj Opens Investigation Into Law Requiring Clergy To Report Confessions

The Department of Justice (DOJ) is opening a civilian authorities investigation into a caller rule precocious signed by Gov. Bob Ferguson successful Washington state. The measure, Senate Bill 5375, puts members of nan clergy connected a database – which besides includes rule enforcement officers, aesculapian examiners, societal work counselors, kid attraction providers, and nurses, among others – required to study kid maltreatment and kid activity crimes to authorities,  moreover if nan accusation is fixed during a confessional setting. Violating this rule is classified arsenic a gross misdemeanor and is punishable by up to 1 twelvemonth successful jailhouse and a good of up to $5,000.

Seal of Confession astatine risk

In nan Catholic Church, confession is simply a sacrament successful which a personnel of nan religion confesses their sins to a priest. That leader tin ne'er uncover that person’s sins, arsenic it is protected by nan Seal of Confession. Even if a personification confesses a crime, nan leader cannot study it. The leader whitethorn impulse nan personification to move themselves in; however, he cannot break nan seal. If he breaks nan seal, nan leader could beryllium excommunicated from nan church.

First Amendment concerns

The DOJ says nan caller rule “appears connected its look to break nan First Amendment.”

“SB 5375 demands that Catholic priests break their profoundly held religion successful bid to obey nan law. A usurpation of nan Constitution and a breach of nan free workout of belief cannot guidelines nether our law strategy of government,” said Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon of nan Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division.

Church leaders respond

Seattle Archbishop Paul Etienne says nan church’s policies already require clergy members to study criminal accusation unless that accusation is fixed during confession.

“Catholic clergy whitethorn not break nan Seal of Confession – aliases they will beryllium excommunicated from nan Church. All Catholics must cognize and beryllium assured that their confessions stay sacred, secure, confidential and protected by nan rule of nan Church,” Archbishop Etienne said successful a statement.

Spokane Bishop Thomas Daly besides reiterated nan church’s stance, saying clergy members “are committed to keeping nan Seal of Confession – moreover to nan constituent of going to jail.”

Legislative support

Washington authorities Sen. Noel Frame introduced nan legislation. When it passed nan Senate, she said, “It’s agelong past clip that nan Legislature steps up, closes this loophole, and protects children. I cognize this is simply a reliable taxable for galore of my colleagues, particularly those pinch heavy belief views. I respect that, but this measure is astir nan separation of religion and state. This measure is astir nan state’s secular work to nan nationalist liking of protecting children. That’s nan astir important point we do here.”