Washington State's Seal of Confession Under Fire: What You Need to Know

The U.S. Justice Department has launched a civil rights investigation into Washington State’s Senate Bill 5375, signed into law on May 2, 2025, which mandates clergy to report child abuse or neglect, even if disclosed during the sacred sacrament of confession. This unprecedented law, labeled “anti-Catholic” by critics, threatens Catholic priests with up to one year in jail and $5,000 in fines for upholding the inviolable seal of confession—a core tenet of the faith that, if broken, results in automatic excommunication.
In this video, we explore:
The details of SB 5375 and its removal of clergy-penitent privilege, singling out clergy unlike other professionals (e.g., doctors, lawyers)
The Justice Department’s stance: Why they believe the law violates the First Amendment’s guarantee of religious freedom
Catholic bishops’ response, with leaders like Archbishop Paul Etienne and Bishop Thomas Daly vowing to face jail rather than comply
The broader implications for religious liberty and the separation of church and state
Debate: Supporters like Gov. Bob Ferguson and Sen. Noel Frame argue it’s about child protection—do they have a point?
Is this law a necessary step to protect children, or a dangerous overreach attacking religious freedom? Join the conversation in the comments!

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