Catholic Standard

Bishops, state agree to protect Confession in Washington state’s mandatory reporter law

A confessional is seen in a file photo. Washington state’s government and its Catholic bishops reached an agreement Oct. 10, ...

Washington State Backs Off Effort to Pressure Catholic Priests into Violating Seal of Confession

The laws of the Catholic Church require priests to maintain the seal of confession or face excommunication. Washington’s law ...

Washington will not require clergy to report child abuse learned through confession

Washington will not require clergy to report suspected child abuse or neglect learned through confession or privileged conversations, following a legal settlement announced Friday. The settlement ...
Yakima Herald

WA backs off requiring clergy to report abuse learned in confession

An agreement filed Friday aims to resolve key constitutional questions about how far mandatory reporting requirements can extend into religious practice.
The Boston Pilot

Bishops, state agree to protect confession in Washington mandatory reporter law

Washington state's government and its Catholic bishops reached an agreement Oct. 10 in a federal lawsuit over the state's mandatory reporter law they said could force priests to ...