Washington court blocks confession law after priests sue

Washington state officials and four Orthodox churches on Friday agreed to a federal court order permanently barring enforcement of a state confession law passed in May. The law changed the state’s mandatory reporting standards, requiring priests to report confidential information about potential child abuse or neglect that was disclosed in confession. Supporters of the law argued that the mandatory reporting requirements would bring potential crimes to the attention of law enforcement and protect victims.

Why did the churches oppose the law? They argued that it violated the absolute confidentiality of confession and forced priests to break canonical rules, according to the Alliance Defending Freedom, which represented them in court. A violation of the law could be punished with up to 364 days in jail and a $5,000 fine, according to the ADF.

The law also retained existing exceptions for attorneys and clients, peer supporters, sexual assault advocates, and alcohol and drug recovery sponsors—while removing exceptions for clergy. The court concluded that the law unconstitutionally burdened the churches’ rights to free exercise of religion.

Dig deeper: Read Lauren Canterberry’s report on an earlier judgment in favor of Roman Catholic clergy who sued over the same law.