On Sunday, Archbishop Paul D. Etienne of Seattle voiced strong opposition to a new Washington state law requiring clergy members to report suspected child abuse or neglect, even if that information is revealed during a confessional. The law, Senate Bill 5375, was signed by Governor Bob Ferguson on May 3, 2024, and will take effect on July 27, 2024.
In a statement released on May 4, Etienne expressed his concerns, arguing that the law represents an overreach by the state government and infringes upon the rights of religious institutions. He warned that people of all faiths, not just Catholics, should be alarmed by the law’s implications for religious freedoms.
“This new law violates fundamental principles of religious freedom and crosses the line between church and state,” said Etienne. “The requirement to report information revealed during confession violates the sanctity of the Sacrament of Reconciliation, which is central to Catholic doctrine.”
The new legislation mandates that clergy, including priests, ministers, rabbis, imams, and other religious leaders, report any suspected child abuse or neglect they encounter in their professional capacity. This brings clergy under the same legal obligations as social workers, healthcare providers, and educators, who are already required to notify authorities about potential cases of abuse.
Governor Ferguson defended the law, stating that it prioritizes the protection of children above all else. “As a Catholic myself, I understand the importance of religious practices, but the safety of our children must come first,” Ferguson said after signing the bill. He added that Washington was one of the few states where clergy were not already mandatory reporters, emphasizing the law’s role in safeguarding vulnerable individuals.
However, the law has sparked criticism from religious leaders, particularly in the Catholic Church. Etienne highlighted that the Catholic Church’s tradition strictly prohibits breaking the seal of confession, arguing that doing so would result in excommunication. He compared the situation to the stance taken by the apostles in the Bible, stating, “We must obey God rather than men.”
Supporters of the law argue that it is necessary to protect children and ensure accountability for those who abuse their power, including clergy. Mary Dispenza, a member of the Catholic Accountability Project and the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP), expressed support for the bill, stating that it would make children safer by holding religious leaders to the same legal standards as other professionals.
“Religious institutions must not be above the law,” Dispenza said. “This law helps ensure that no one is allowed to hide criminal behavior behind religious practices.”
Bishop Thomas A. Daly of Spokane also condemned the law, asserting that clergy members are willing to face jail time rather than break the confidentiality of confession. He voiced concern that the law targets religious conduct and infringes upon constitutional protections for religious freedom.
Etienne concluded his statement by asserting that the law unfairly targets religious practices, claiming that it represents a “double standard” and an infringement on religious liberties. He called for the law to be revisited, urging a balance between child protection and the preservation of religious freedoms.
