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From Fox News: The Catholic Church announced that priests will be excommunicated if they follow a new Washington state law requiring clergy to report confessions about child abuse to law enforcement.
“Catholic clergy may not violate the seal of confession — or they will be excommunicated from the Church,” the Archdiocese of Seattle said in a statement. “All Catholics must know and be assured that their confessions remain sacred, secure, confidential and protected by the law of the Church.”
“The Catholic Church agrees with the goal of protecting children and preventing child abuse,” the statement added, noting that it “remains committed to reporting child sexual abuse, working with victim survivors towards healing and protecting all minors and vulnerable people.”
The new law — signed by Democrat Gov. Bob Ferguson last week — added “members of the clergy” to a list of professionals who are required to report information that relates to child abuse or neglect to law enforcement, and the measure does not provide an exception for information offered at a confession booth.
The report explains that the Catholic Church has a rule requiring priests to keep anything learned in confession a secret – even it it involves a child being sexually abused.
The Archdiocese of Seattle claimed, “While we remain committed to protecting minors and all vulnerable people from abuse, priests cannot comply with this law if the knowledge of abuse is obtained during the Sacrament of Reconciliation.”
READ MORE from Fox News.
Catholic Church to excommunicate priests for following WA law requiring child abuse confessions to be reported https://t.co/YeV6icXgYv
— Fox News (@FoxNews) May 7, 2025
This issue has come up before. In 2019, the Wall Street Journal reported: The Vatican hit back at growing pressure from secular authorities in the U.S., Australia and elsewhere to make Catholic priests report evidence of child sex abuse they hear in confession, saying the seal of confidentiality is inviolable and quashing suggestions there might be scope for compromise or exemptions.
“Every priest who hears confessions is bound under very severe penalties to keep absolute secrecy regarding the sins that his penitents have confessed to him,” the Vatican said Monday, quoting the Catechism, a compendium of Catholic doctrine.
The document also stated that a priest could truthfully deny, even under oath, knowing the contents of a confession given to him “because he did not listen to (the penitent) as a man but, precisely, in the name of God.”
Pope Francis personally approved the five-page document and ordered its publication, the document said, underscoring its importance.
The Catholic Church said it won’t change rules to permit priests to report admissions of child sex abuse made during confession https://t.co/hcR9WPHx0r
— The Wall Street Journal (@WSJ) July 1, 2019
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Missionary priest Fr. Chris Vorderbruggen posted the following statement in a series of social media posts on Saturday:
2/16
The seal of confession is absolute. No priest may break it under any circumstances. Not for jail. Not for fear. Not even under subpoena. Breaking it means automatic excommunication. There is no wiggle room.— Fr. Chris Vorderbruggen (@FatherChrisVor1) May 3, 2025
4/16
The priest doesn’t “allow” this. He is bound by it. He’s not there as a counselor. He’s there as a witness to your repentance and a minister of Christ’s mercy. He speaks Christ’s words, not his own.— Fr. Chris Vorderbruggen (@FatherChrisVor1) May 3, 2025
6/16
When Australia passed similar laws, bishops said: “We’ll go to jail.” When California tried it, the law fell apart under pressure. This Washington law will be challenged—and likely overturned.— Fr. Chris Vorderbruggen (@FatherChrisVor1) May 3, 2025
8/16
Some say, “I just confess to God.” Good. Do that. But Christ gave us a sacrament—one where sin is not just whispered into the air, but forgiven in the flesh, through the authority He gave His Church.— Fr. Chris Vorderbruggen (@FatherChrisVor1) May 3, 2025
10/16
In confession, the priest doesn’t say, “God forgives you.” He says,“I absolve you.”
Because Christ gave him that authority. That’s what scandalized the Pharisees, remember?
“Who can forgive sins but God?” (Mk 2:7)— Fr. Chris Vorderbruggen (@FatherChrisVor1) May 3, 2025
12/16
If you’re holding back a grave sin, don’t.
This law doesn’t change your safety in the sacrament.
Confess everything.
Nothing you say will be revealed.
Ever.— Fr. Chris Vorderbruggen (@FatherChrisVor1) May 3, 2025
14/16
The state may misunderstand it.
The media may mock it.
But that doesn’t matter.
We will not surrender what Christ has given.
Not for power.
Not for protection.
Not for fear.— Fr. Chris Vorderbruggen (@FatherChrisVor1) May 3, 2025
16/16
To the faithful:
The seal of confession is unbreakable.
It always has been.
It always will be.
Go.
Confess.
Be forgiven.
And never be afraid.— Fr. Chris Vorderbruggen (@FatherChrisVor1) May 3, 2025
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