Catholic Church to Excommunicate Priests Who Comply with WA Law

The Catholic Church has declared that any priest who complies with Washington state's new law requiring clergy to report child abuse confessions will face excommunication. This law, set to take effect in late July, eliminates the traditional confidentiality of the confessional, compelling clergy to report suspected child abuse without exception for information shared in confession. The Archdiocese of Seattle asserts that this mandate directly contradicts church doctrine, which requires priests to maintain the absolute secrecy of confessions. While church leaders agree with the goal of protecting children and are committed to reporting abuse learned outside confession, they argue that the law infringes on religious liberty and constitutional protections. The controversy has sparked national debate over the boundaries of church and state, with the U.S. Department of Justice launching an investigation into potential First Amendment violations. The outcome may influence how other states approach clergy reporting requirements and religious confidentiality.