- Feb 5, 2002
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(OSV News) — A federal court on July 18 temporarily blocked a new law in Washington state requiring clergy to report child abuse or neglect without exceptions for clergy-penitent privilege.
The state’s Catholic bishops previously sued in response to Democratic Gov. Bob Ferguson’s approval of Senate Bill 5375, which designated members of the clergy as mandatory reporters, or people required by law to report suspected or known instances of child abuse or neglect.
The version of that legislation Ferguson signed into law did not include an exception for sacramental confessions, an exception that most other states with similar requirements for clergy have.
“The Court concludes Plaintiffs are likely to succeed on the merits of their Free Exercise Clause challenge and otherwise meet the requirements for the issuance of a preliminary injunction,” the order, signed by U.S. District Judge David G. Estudillo for the Western District of Washington at Tacoma, said.
Continued below.
www.oursundayvisitor.com
The state’s Catholic bishops previously sued in response to Democratic Gov. Bob Ferguson’s approval of Senate Bill 5375, which designated members of the clergy as mandatory reporters, or people required by law to report suspected or known instances of child abuse or neglect.
The version of that legislation Ferguson signed into law did not include an exception for sacramental confessions, an exception that most other states with similar requirements for clergy have.
“The Court concludes Plaintiffs are likely to succeed on the merits of their Free Exercise Clause challenge and otherwise meet the requirements for the issuance of a preliminary injunction,” the order, signed by U.S. District Judge David G. Estudillo for the Western District of Washington at Tacoma, said.
Continued below.
Can WA compel seal of confession? Federal court says no -- for now
A federal court blocks WA law requiring clergy to report abuse, protecting the seal of confession and raising key religious freedom concerns.
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