Catholic Bishops in Washington State Sue Authorities Over Law Violating the Seal of Confession

Catholic bishops and clergy in the state of Washington (USA) have filed a federal lawsuit against a new law that requires clergy to break the seal of confession. The law, signed by Democratic Governor Bob Ferguson, is set to take effect on July 27, 2025, and is viewed by the plaintiffs as a flagrant violation of their constitutional rights. This was reported by The Christian Post.

The complaint was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington in Tacoma on behalf of the Archdiocese of Seattle, the Dioceses of Spokane and Yakima, and several Catholic priests. Named as defendants are the governor, Attorney General Nicholas Brown, and all county prosecutors in the state.

Bill No. 5375 includes clergy among those required to report to authorities any cases of sexual abuse of minors, including information received through “confidential communication.” This means Catholic priests would be obligated to disclose information heard during confession.

At the same time, the confidentiality of conversations between lawyers and clients or doctors and patients remains protected. Plaintiffs argue this highlights the discriminatory nature of the law, which appears specifically targeted at Christian clergy.

The complaint stresses that under the Catholic Church’s Code of Canon Law, the seal of confession is absolute. A priest is never permitted to reveal sins heard in confession, and doing so could result in excommunication.

“What Bill No. 5375 demands of Roman Catholic priests is a blatant violation of the right of clergy to freely practice their faith,” the lawsuit states.

The plaintiffs ask the court to declare the law unconstitutional, prohibit its enforcement, and order the state to pay legal fees. Catholic priests also affirm their commitment to uphold the seal of confession even if it means imprisonment, and they warn that the new law could deter believers from participating in the sacraments.

It was previously reported that Robert Amsterdam, head of the international law firm Amsterdam & Partners LLP, who represents the legal interests of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, has become the subject of several criminal cases in Ukraine over his defense of the UOC. The lawyer is accused of cooperating with former MP Vadym Novynskyi and “destabilizing the religious situation” in Ukraine.