Archdiocese of Seattle Vows To Excommunicate Priests Who Tell Cops When Kids Are Being Sexually Abused

Staff Writer

A new Washington state law mandating that clergy report child abuse, even when disclosed during the sacrament of confession, has ignited a fierce dispute with the Catholic Church, who vow to oppose it and excommunicate any priests who comply.

Signed into law by Governor Bob Ferguson (D) on May 2, 2025, Senate Bill 5375 requires priests to notify law enforcement of any suspected or known child abuse or neglect, regardless of the context in which it is revealed. According to the U.S. Justice Department’s investigation into the new law:

Washington State’s new law adds “members of the clergy” to a list of other professionals who are required to report information received in a confessional setting relating to child abuse or neglect to law enforcement or other state authorities, with no exception for the absolute seal of confidentiality that applies to Catholic Priests.”

Furthermore, the State of Washington’s new law singles out “members of the clergy” as the only “supervisors” who may not rely on applicable legal privileges, including religious confessions, as a defense to mandatory reporting.

The Archdiocese of Seattle has vehemently opposed the measure, insisting they will deal swiftly with any priest who breaks the seal of confession. Catholic priests maintain that while they are willing to act as mandatory reporters for abuse disclosed outside the confessional, the sacrament itself is sacred and inviolable. For instance, if a person confesses to ongoing sexual abuse of their children during confession, these clergymen argue they are bound by church doctrine to keep that information confidential.

The controversy comes against the backdrop of the Catholic Church’s troubled history with clergy abuse scandals, with the institution having paid out over $5 billion in settlements to victims of sexual abuse by over the past two decades.

Furthermore, the clash raises significant questions about the balance between religious freedom and child protection, with Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon remarking:

“SB 5375 demands that Catholic Priests violate their deeply held faith in order to obey the law, a violation of the Constitution and a breach of the free exercise of religion cannot stand under our Constitutional system of government. Worse, the law appears to single out clergy as not entitled to assert applicable privileges, as compared to other reporting professionals. We take this matter very seriously and look forward to Washington State’s cooperation with our investigation.”

In a statement by the Archbishop Paul Etienne, he reveals why they cannot follow the new law:

The Catholic Church agrees with the goal of protecting children and preventing child abuse. The Archdiocese of Seattle remains committed to reporting child sexual abuse, working with victim survivors towards healing and protecting all minors and vulnerable people.

….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.”

Furthermore, any who priest who does will be swiftly dealt with.

He concludes:

This new law singles out religion and is clearly both government overreach and a double standard.
The line between Church and state has been crossed and needs to be walked back. People of every
religion in the State of Washington and beyond should be alarmed by this overreach of our
Legislature and Governor.