Latest news with #SenateBill5375
Yahoo
4 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Catholic bishops sue Washington over law requiring priests to break confessional seal
A group of Roman Catholic bishops and priests filed a federal lawsuit Thursday challenging a new Washington law that requires clergy to report suspected child abuse or neglect, even when the information is received in confession. The lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court in Tacoma, argues that the law—set to take effect July 27—violates constitutional rights to religious freedom by forcing priests to choose between adhering to the centuries-old doctrine of confessional secrecy or facing criminal charges. The plaintiffs include Seattle Archbishop Paul D. Etienne, Yakima Bishop Joseph J. Tyson, Spokane Bishop Thomas A. Daly, and eight priests from dioceses across the state. They are suing Gov. Bob Ferguson, Attorney General Nick Brown, and all 39 of Washington's county prosecutors in their official capacities. At the center of the legal battle is Senate Bill 5375, signed by Ferguson on May 2. The bill expands the list of mandatory reporters of child abuse under state law to include clergy, without exceptions for information received in the confessional. Violations carry a penalty of up to 364 days in jail and a $5,000 fine. The plaintiffs claim the law 'puts Roman Catholic priests to an impossible choice: violate 2,000 years of Church teaching and incur automatic excommunication or refuse to comply with Washington law and be subject to imprisonment, fine, and civil liability.' Under canon law, any priest who discloses information received during confession is automatically excommunicated. The plaintiffs say this punishment cannot be lifted by anyone except the pope and argue the new law specifically targets Catholic doctrine by removing privileges for clergy that still exist for other professionals like attorneys, union representatives, and domestic violence advocates. Supporters of the law, including lawmakers who pushed the bill through the legislature, have framed it as a child protection measure, saying it is meant to ensure clergy cannot shield abusers behind religious confidentiality. The complaint alleges the law violates the Free Exercise and Establishment Clauses of the First Amendment and similar protections under the Washington Constitution. The bishops also argue that their dioceses already maintain policies requiring priests to report suspected abuse, except when learned in confession. They say they support broader mandatory reporting laws—so long as they respect the sacramental seal. The plaintiffs are asking the court to block the law's implementation and declare it unconstitutional.
Miami Herald
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Miami Herald
Law requiring clergy to report child abuse anti-Catholic, DOJ claims
SALT LAKE CITY, May 22 (UPI) -- A new Washington state law that requires members of the clergy to report child abuse or neglect, including when the information is revealed in confession, is being investigated by the U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division. The DOJ claims the law is anti-Catholic and appears on its face to violate the First Amendment. The investigation, which was announced earlier this month, will look at the development and passage of Senate Bill 5375. The bill, which adds clergy members to the list of mandatory reporters, was passed by the Senate in a 28-20 vote and 64-31 by the House. It was signed into law May 2 by Gov. Bob Ferguson and is to go into effect July 27. A DOJ news release says the law has no exception for the absolute seal of confidentiality that applies to Catholic priests. "SB 5375 demands that Catholic Priests violate their deeply held faith in order to obey the law, a violation of the Constitution and a breach of the free exercise of religion cannot stand under our Constitutional system of government," Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon said in the release. "Worse, the law appears to single out clergy as not entitled to assert applicable privileges, as compared to other reporting professionals," Dhillon said. The bill's sponsor, Sen. Noel Frame, D-Seattle, disputes those claims and said the law is not anti-Catholic. She pointed out that members of the clergy are defined as a licensed, accredited or ordained minister, priest, rabbi, imam, elder or similarly situated religious or spiritual leader of any church, religious denomination, religious body, spiritual community or sect. Mandated reporters include law enforcement officers, professional school personnel, social service counselors, nurses, psychologists and licensed childcare providers, among others. If they have reasonable cause to believe a child has suffered abuse or neglect, they are required to report that to law enforcement or the Department of Children, Youth, and Families. Under the new law, clergy members must report abuse, but cannot be compelled to testify against the penitent in a court case or criminal proceedings. "We are talking in our case here about really simply just the reporting in real time of known or suspected abuse and neglect of children in real time," Frame said. "We're simply saying, if you believe or you know that a child is actively being abused or neglected, call it in so we can go check on that child to make sure that they are safe." Archbishop Paul Etienne of the Archdiocese of Seattle descibted the the law as government overreach. After the apostles were thrown into jail for preaching in the name of Jesus Christ, St. Peter responded, "We must obey God rather than men," he said in a written statement. "This is our stance now in the face of this new law," Etienne said. "Catholic clergy may not violate the seal of confession -- or they will be excommunicated from the Church. All Catholics must know and be assured that their confessions remain sacred, secure, confidential and protected by the law of the church." The Catholic Church in the United States has been reporting incidents of abuse to law enforcement and cooperating with civil authorities for decades, according to Etienne. Those efforts began in 1986 in the Seattle Archdiocese, he said. "Our policies already require priests to be mandatory reporters, but not if this information is obtained during confession," Etienne said. Frame countered that voluntarily complying with part of the law does not make priests mandatory reporters. "They may be if they are a teacher, for instance, but they are not mandatory reporters in their role as clergy," she said. "And to say that we're already mandated reporters has caused great confusion such that people think the only point of this bill was to 'go after confession.' Not true." The senator has been trying since 2022 to pass legislation to make clergy mandatory reporters. Articles by Investigative West about how a Jehovah's Witnesses community in Washington allegedly was covering up sexual abuse of children spurred her effort. The nonprofit news organization reported the community was handling complaints internally and abuse was not being addressed. Frame, a survivor of childhood sexual abuse by a family member from ages 5 to 10, said children need to know that if they ask a trusted adult such as a faith leader for help, they'll get it. "I told the mandated reporter about the abuse and that's how it was stopped, and that was my teacher," she said. The Freedom From Religion Foundation, which advocated for passage of SB 5375 through its FFRF Action Fund lobbying arm, said the law closes a longstanding and dangerous loophole that allowed clergy to withhold information about child abuse. "FFRF urges the DOJ to immediately drop this politically motivated and legally unsound investigation," the organization said in a news release. "Protecting children from harm must be a priority that transcends religious boundaries. It is not anti-Christian to hold clergy accountable -- it is pro-child, pro-justice and pro-human rights." Other states that do not have an exemption for penitential communication as of May 2023 are New Hampshire, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Texas and West Virginia, according to the Child Welfare Information Gateway. The Utah Legislature passed a bill last year that does not make clergy mandated reporters, but protects them from civil and criminal liability if they report ongoing abuse or neglect even if the information came from a penitent during confession. Utah Rep. Anthony Loubet, R-Kearns, said he sponsored House Bill 432 after constituents reached out to him. Some religious organizations had implemented their own reporting requirements, but the protection from liability applied only to mandated reporters, which did not include clergy, he said. Members of the clergy like having this option, Loubet said. "This made it clear that they could report if they wanted to and if they did, they received the protection," he said. Copyright 2025 UPI News Corporation. All Rights Reserved.
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Law requiring clergy to report child abuse anti-Catholic, DOJ claims
SALT LAKE CITY, May 22 (UPI) -- A new Washington state law that requires members of the clergy to report child abuse or neglect, including when the information is revealed in confession, is being investigated by the U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division. The DOJ claims the law is anti-Catholic and appears on its face to violate the First Amendment. The investigation, which was announced earlier this month, will look at the development and passage of Senate Bill 5375. The bill, which adds clergy members to the list of mandatory reporters, was passed by the Senate in a 28-20 vote and 64-31 by the House. It was signed into law May 2 by Gov. Bob Ferguson and is to go into effect July 27. A DOJ news release says the law has no exception for the absolute seal of confidentiality that applies to Catholic priests. "SB 5375 demands that Catholic Priests violate their deeply held faith in order to obey the law, a violation of the Constitution and a breach of the free exercise of religion cannot stand under our Constitutional system of government," Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon said in the release. "Worse, the law appears to single out clergy as not entitled to assert applicable privileges, as compared to other reporting professionals," Dhillon said. The bill's sponsor, Sen. Noel Frame, D-Seattle, disputes those claims and said the law is not anti-Catholic. She pointed out that members of the clergy are defined as a licensed, accredited or ordained minister, priest, rabbi, imam, elder or similarly situated religious or spiritual leader of any church, religious denomination, religious body, spiritual community or sect. Mandated reporters include law enforcement officers, professional school personnel, social service counselors, nurses, psychologists and licensed childcare providers, among others. If they have reasonable cause to believe a child has suffered abuse or neglect, they are required to report that to law enforcement or the Department of Children, Youth, and Families. Under the new law, clergy members must report abuse, but cannot be compelled to testify against the penitent in a court case or criminal proceedings. "We are talking in our case here about really simply just the reporting in real time of known or suspected abuse and neglect of children in real time," Frame said. "We're simply saying, if you believe or you know that a child is actively being abused or neglected, call it in so we can go check on that child to make sure that they are safe." Archbishop Paul Etienne of the Archdiocese of Seattle descibted the the law as government overreach. After the apostles were thrown into jail for preaching in the name of Jesus Christ, St. Peter responded, "We must obey God rather than men," he said in a written statement. "This is our stance now in the face of this new law," Etienne said. "Catholic clergy may not violate the seal of confession -- or they will be excommunicated from the Church. All Catholics must know and be assured that their confessions remain sacred, secure, confidential and protected by the law of the church." The Catholic Church in the United States has been reporting incidents of abuse to law enforcement and cooperating with civil authorities for decades, according to Etienne. Those efforts began in 1986 in the Seattle Archdiocese, he said. "Our policies already require priests to be mandatory reporters, but not if this information is obtained during confession," Etienne said. Frame countered that voluntarily complying with part of the law does not make priests mandatory reporters. "They may be if they are a teacher, for instance, but they are not mandatory reporters in their role as clergy," she said. "And to say that we're already mandated reporters has caused great confusion such that people think the only point of this bill was to 'go after confession.' Not true." The senator has been trying since 2022 to pass legislation to make clergy mandatory reporters. Articles by Investigative West about how a Jehovah's Witnesses community in Washington allegedly was covering up sexual abuse of children spurred her effort. The nonprofit news organization reported the community was handling complaints internally and abuse was not being addressed. Frame, a survivor of childhood sexual abuse by a family member from ages 5 to 10, said children need to know that if they ask a trusted adult such as a faith leader for help, they'll get it. "I told the mandated reporter about the abuse and that's how it was stopped, and that was my teacher," she said. The Freedom From Religion Foundation, which advocated for passage of SB 5375 through its FFRF Action Fund lobbying arm, said the law closes a longstanding and dangerous loophole that allowed clergy to withhold information about child abuse. "FFRF urges the DOJ to immediately drop this politically motivated and legally unsound investigation," the organization said in a news release. "Protecting children from harm must be a priority that transcends religious boundaries. It is not anti-Christian to hold clergy accountable -- it is pro-child, pro-justice and pro-human rights." Other states that do not have an exemption for penitential communication as of May 2023 are New Hampshire, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Texas and West Virginia, according to the Child Welfare Information Gateway. The Utah Legislature passed a bill last year that does not make clergy mandated reporters, but protects them from civil and criminal liability if they report ongoing abuse or neglect even if the information came from a penitent during confession. Utah Rep. Anthony Loubet, R-Kearns, said he sponsored House Bill 432 after constituents reached out to him. Some religious organizations had implemented their own reporting requirements, but the protection from liability applied only to mandated reporters, which did not include clergy, he said. Members of the clergy like having this option, Loubet said. "This made it clear that they could report if they wanted to and if they did, they received the protection," he said.
UPI
22-05-2025
- Politics
- UPI
Law requiring clergy to report child abuse anti-Catholic, DOJ claims
1 of 2 | A Department of Justice news release says the Washington state law has no exception for the absolute seal of confidentiality that applies to Catholic priests. Photo by cottonbro studio/ Pexels SALT LAKE CITY, May 22 (UPI) -- A new Washington state law that requires members of the clergy to report child abuse or neglect, including when the information is revealed in confession, is being investigated by the U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division. The DOJ claims the law is anti-Catholic and appears on its face to violate the First Amendment. The investigation, which was announced earlier this month, will look at the development and passage of Senate Bill 5375. The bill, which adds clergy members to the list of mandatory reporters, was passed by the Senate in a 28-20 vote and 64-31 by the House. It was signed into law May 2 by Gov. Bob Ferguson and is to go into effect July 27. A DOJ news release says the law has no exception for the absolute seal of confidentiality that applies to Catholic priests. "SB 5375 demands that Catholic Priests violate their deeply held faith in order to obey the law, a violation of the Constitution and a breach of the free exercise of religion cannot stand under our Constitutional system of government," Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon said in the release. "Worse, the law appears to single out clergy as not entitled to assert applicable privileges, as compared to other reporting professionals," Dhillon said. The bill's sponsor, Sen. Noel Frame, D-Seattle, disputes those claims and said the law is not anti-Catholic. She pointed out that members of the clergy are defined as a licensed, accredited or ordained minister, priest, rabbi, imam, elder or similarly situated religious or spiritual leader of any church, religious denomination, religious body, spiritual community or sect. Mandated reporters include law enforcement officers, professional school personnel, social service counselors, nurses, psychologists and licensed childcare providers, among others. If they have reasonable cause to believe a child has suffered abuse or neglect, they are required to report that to law enforcement or the Department of Children, Youth, and Families. Under the new law, clergy members must report abuse, but cannot be compelled to testify against the penitent in a court case or criminal proceedings. "We are talking in our case here about really simply just the reporting in real time of known or suspected abuse and neglect of children in real time," Frame said. "We're simply saying, if you believe or you know that a child is actively being abused or neglected, call it in so we can go check on that child to make sure that they are safe." Archbishop Paul Etienne of the Archdiocese of Seattle descibted the the law as government overreach. After the apostles were thrown into jail for preaching in the name of Jesus Christ, St. Peter responded, "We must obey God rather than men," he said in a written statement. "This is our stance now in the face of this new law," Etienne said. "Catholic clergy may not violate the seal of confession -- or they will be excommunicated from the Church. All Catholics must know and be assured that their confessions remain sacred, secure, confidential and protected by the law of the church." The Catholic Church in the United States has been reporting incidents of abuse to law enforcement and cooperating with civil authorities for decades, according to Etienne. Those efforts began in 1986 in the Seattle Archdiocese, he said. "Our policies already require priests to be mandatory reporters, but not if this information is obtained during confession," Etienne said. Frame countered that voluntarily complying with part of the law does not make priests mandatory reporters. "They may be if they are a teacher, for instance, but they are not mandatory reporters in their role as clergy," she said. "And to say that we're already mandated reporters has caused great confusion such that people think the only point of this bill was to 'go after confession.' Not true." The senator has been trying since 2022 to pass legislation to make clergy mandatory reporters. Articles by Investigative West about how a Jehovah's Witnesses community in Washington allegedly was covering up sexual abuse of children spurred her effort. The nonprofit news organization reported the community was handling complaints internally and abuse was not being addressed. Frame, a survivor of childhood sexual abuse by a family member from ages 5 to 10, said children need to know that if they ask a trusted adult such as a faith leader for help, they'll get it. "I told the mandated reporter about the abuse and that's how it was stopped, and that was my teacher," she said. The Freedom From Religion Foundation, which advocated for passage of SB 5375 through its FFRF Action Fund lobbying arm, said the law closes a longstanding and dangerous loophole that allowed clergy to withhold information about child abuse. "FFRF urges the DOJ to immediately drop this politically motivated and legally unsound investigation," the organization said in a news release. "Protecting children from harm must be a priority that transcends religious boundaries. It is not anti-Christian to hold clergy accountable -- it is pro-child, pro-justice and pro-human rights." Other states that do not have an exemption for penitential communication as of May 2023 are New Hampshire, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Texas and West Virginia, according to the Child Welfare Information Gateway. The Utah Legislature passed a bill last year that does not make clergy mandated reporters, but protects them from civil and criminal liability if they report ongoing abuse or neglect even if the information came from a penitent during confession. Utah Rep. Anthony Loubet, R-Kearns, said he sponsored House Bill 432 after constituents reached out to him. Some religious organizations had implemented their own reporting requirements, but the protection from liability applied only to mandated reporters, which did not include clergy, he said. Members of the clergy like having this option, Loubet said. "This made it clear that they could report if they wanted to and if they did, they received the protection," he said.
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
‘Excommunicated': WA Archdiocese pushes back against mandatory reporting law, DOJ investigating
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — A new Washington law making all clergy mandatory reporters, signed into law by Gov. Bob Ferguson last week, is facing pushback after the Archdiocese of Seattle released a statement that they would excommunicate any Catholic clergy who follow the new law. Beginning as Senate Bill 5375, the law requires clergy members to report any child abuse or neglect, even information shared with a priest during confession. The initial bill was passed through the Senate and House over the last several months and was officially signed into law last Friday. However, in response, Archbishop Paul D. Etienne released a statement from the Archdiocese of Seattle pushing back against the law, which has led to the Washington Department of Justice opening a civil rights investigation into the law's constitutionality. Multnomah County overpaid more than $78K for recruiting services, report finds According to the Archdiocese, the new law requires clergy to 'violate the Seal of the Sacrament of Reconciliation, better known as confession.' In response, Archbishop Etienne cited Acts 5:29, 'We must obey God rather than men,' saying, 'this is our stance now in the face of this new law. Catholic clergy may not violate the seal of confession – or they will be excommunicated from the Church. All Catholics must know and be assured that their confessions remain sacred, secure, confidential and protected by the law of the Church.' The Archbishop added that the church agrees with protecting children and preventing child abuse, noting the Archdiocese of Seattle already has mandatory reporter policies for priests. However, those rules don't apply to information received during confession. On Monday, the announced they are investigating the law, which 'appears on its face to violate the First Amendment.' In a statement, Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon called the law a violation of the constitutional right of the free exercise of religion. He also added the law 'singles out' clergy as the only people who can't rely on legal privileges as a defense of mandatory reporting. 'SB 5375 demands that Catholic Priests violate their deeply held faith in order to obey the law, a violation of the Constitution and a breach of the free exercise of religion cannot stand under our Constitutional system of government,' said Dhillon. 'Worse, the law appears to single out clergy as not entitled to assert applicable privileges, as compared to other reporting professionals. We take this matter very seriously and look forward to Washington State's cooperation with our investigation.' Portland archbishop 'stunned' at unprecedented selection of new pope from U.S. The Archdiocese of Seattle cited the text of the First Amendment in their rebuke, specifically where it reads, 'Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.' Furthermore, fearing further incursion into their constitutional rights, they asked the question: With this new law, where is the line drawn between church and state? 'This new law singles out religion and is clearly both government overreach and a double standard,' Archbishop Etienne concluded. 'The line between Church and state has been crossed and needs to be walked back. People of every religion in the State of Washington and beyond should be alarmed by this overreach of our Legislature and Governor.' Although the bill was signed into law by the governor, the new law is not set to take effect until July 2025. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
