Following a crucial legal agreement Oct. 10 that will help protect religious freedom in Washington State, the Office of the State's Attorney General issued an explainer outlining how a new bill related to mandatory reporting will respect the seal of Confession.
According to the statement, clergy in the state will continue to be mandatory reporters under stipulations filed in court Oct. 10 regarding Senate Bill 5375.
“Under the stipulations, however,” the statement adds, “the state and county prosecutors have agreed — as the court ordered — not to enforce reporting requirements for information clergy learn solely through confession or its equivalent in other faiths.”
CatholicVote reported Oct. 10 that Washington State agreed to a court judgment and settlement that permanently stops the state’s attempt to force priests to violate the seal of Confession through SB 5375 or face imprisonment. The agreement marked the conclusion of two federal lawsuits brought against the state over the bill by the state's Catholic bishops and four Orthodox churches.
Washington State Attorney General Nick Brown stated Oct. 10 that the stipulations uphold important protections for children and respect the court’s decision.
“[The agreement] keeps crucial portions of Washington’s mandatory reporting law in place, while also preserving the Legislature’s authority to address issues with the law identified by the court,” Brown said.
In an Oct. 10 press release from Becket, Jean Hill, the executive director of the Washington State Catholic Conference, praised the court’s decision.
“Preventing abuse and upholding the sacred seal of confession are not mutually exclusive — we can and must do both,” Hill said. “That’s why the Church supported the law’s goal from the beginning and only asked for a narrow exemption to protect the sacrament. We’re grateful the state ultimately recognized it can prevent abuse without forcing priests to violate their sacred vows.”
According to the AG statement, the stipulation now awaits the court’s approval.