US Edition
Federal Judge Enjoins Washington Law Requiring Priests to Report Confessions
WASHINGTON STATE, JUL 18 – A federal judge ruled that Washington's law forcing priests to report abuse revealed in confession violates the First Amendment, blocking penalties of up to 364 days in jail, court documents show.
- On Tuesday, a federal judge temporarily blocked enforcement of Washington’s new legislation that compels clergy to disclose child abuse information obtained during confession.
- In May, Gov. Bob Ferguson approved a law that came after investigative journalism revealed decades of child abuse cover-ups within a religious community, despite strong objections from Catholic officials.
- Catholic bishops contend that the legislation infringes upon their religious freedoms protected by the First Amendment by compelling priests to disclose confessional information, an action that results in automatic excommunication according to church doctrine.
- Governor Ferguson supports the bill as child protection, stating disappointment over the church's lawsuit, while the Department of Justice investigates the law, echoing constitutional concerns.
- The injunction delays enforcement of the law set for July 27, leaving the constitutional dispute unresolved and the state's mandatory reporting framework under legal challenge.
Insights by Ground AI
Does this summary seem wrong?
72 Articles
72 Articles
Judge sides with Catholic bishops in WA mandatory reporting suit
A longer version of this article appeared in the Washington State Standard.Catholic priests in Washington cannot be required to report child abuse or neglect they learn of in confession, a federal judge ruled Friday.U.S. District Court Chief Judge David G. Estudillo granted a preliminary injunction, sought by three Catholic bishops, temporarily blocking enforcement of a controversial element in a new state law, SB 5375, set to take effect July 2…
Coverage Details
Total News Sources72
Leaning Left13Leaning Right22Center13Last UpdatedBias Distribution46% Right
Bias Distribution
- 46% of the sources lean Right
46% Right
L 27%
C 27%
R 46%
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
