Montana Dems introduce bill to compel priests to report confessions involving abuse

[Michie]

If passed, law could lead to ‘innocent priests' in jail, priest warns

A group of Democratic lawmakers in Montana have introduced a bill that would require Catholic priests to disclose confessions related to serious crimes, challenging the church’s long-standing tradition of maintaining the confidentiality of the confessional.

Senate Bill 139, titled “Eliminate clergy exemption in mandatory reporting of child abuse and neglect,” spearheaded by Democratic Sens. Mary Dunwell and Sara Novak, seeks to compel priests to report to authorities if a churchgoer admits to criminal activity, particularly cases of abuse.

Under Montana state law, professionals such as doctors, teachers and law enforcement officials are required to report suspicions of child abuse or neglect to authorities. The proposed legislation would expand this mandate to include clergy, specifically targeting confessions that involve admissions of criminal behavior, with a focus on abuse cases.

Continued below.

Montana Dems introduce bill to compel priests to report confessions involving abuse

A group of Democratic lawmakers in Montana has introduced a bill that would require Catholic priests to disclose confessions related to serious crimes, challenging the church s long-standing

www.christianpost.com

 

[JimR-OCDS]

It won't stand up in the SCOTUS.

 

[RileyG]

It won't stand up in the SCOTUS.

Agreed.

this is what persecution of Christians looks like

 

[chevyontheriver]

It won't stand up in the SCOTUS.

It shouldn't have to go even that far. We'll see what the appropriate Federal District Court has to say.

 

[RileyG]

It shouldn't have to go even that far. We'll see what the appropriate Federal District Court has to say.

Interesting many of the SCOTUS justices are Catholic, but not all are practicing

 

[WarriorAngel]

Separation of church and state.
They cannot impose anything that demands faith.

It's about their eternal soul. Not this life, but the next.

 

[RileyG]

Separation of church and state.
They cannot impose anything that demands faith.

It's about their eternal soul. Not this life, but the next.

Well said.