Catholic Church Vows Excommunication Over Washington’s Child Abuse Confession Law

In a bold clash between church and state, the Catholic Church has declared that priests in Washington state face excommunication if they comply with a new law mandating clergy to report child abuse confessions to law enforcement. The Archdiocese of Seattle stands firm, emphasizing the sacred seal of confession as inviolable, a cornerstone of Catholic faith that ensures penitents’ words remain confidential.

Governor Bob Ferguson, a Democrat, signed the controversial law last week, adding clergy to the list of professionals required to report suspected child abuse or neglect. Unlike most states, Washington’s measure offers no exemption for confessions, pitting religious doctrine against legal obligation. The Church insists it supports child protection but cannot compromise the sanctity of the confessional, where priests are bound by centuries-old vows of silence.

The U.S. Department of Justice has stepped in, launching an investigation into whether the law violates First Amendment protections of religious freedom. Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon called it a constitutional overreach, arguing it unfairly targets clergy while sparing other professionals’ privileges. The Archdiocese echoed this, labeling the law a dangerous precedent that singles out religion and erodes the separation of church and state.

As the law’s July 26 effective date looms, tensions rise. Washington joins a small minority of states refusing to exempt confessional disclosures, sparking a broader debate: can justice for victims coexist with religious liberty? The answer remains as murky as a Seattle fog.