We previously discussed the legislation passed by Washington State democrats that requires priests to violate the sanctity of the confessional to report child abuse. I described the law as “blatantly unconstitutional” in eviscerating the right to the free exercise of religion. The state is moving to create an effective system of sacramental snitches and the Catholic Church is declaring “enough.” It has announced that any priest who complies with the law will be promptly excommunicated.
We previously discussed the proposed legislation that would target priests who learn of any “reasonable” basis to believe that a child “has suffered abuse or neglect.” Despite objections from many of us that the law is unconstitutional and a denial of religious liberty, Democrat Gov. Bob Ferguson signed it into law last week.
The legislation amended the state law that currently applies to law enforcement, teachers, medical professionals or child care providers to report cases of child abuse or neglect. Clergy was added to the list. The sponsors also exempted clergy from the exception afforded to lawyers and others who obtain information “solely as a result of a privileged communication.”
The law applies to any “ordained minister, priest, rabbi, imam, elder, or similarly situated religious or spiritual leader of any church, religious denomination, religious body, spiritual community, or sect, or person performing official duties that are recognized as the duties of a member of the clergy.”
The government and Democratic sponsors were told that canon law imposes a “sacramental seal” over the confessional. Under Canon 983.1, “it is absolutely forbidden for a confessor to betray in any way a penitent in words or in any manner and for any reason.”
In 1813 in New York, the clergy-penitent privilege faced an early challenge in People v. Philips. In that case, Fr. Anthony Kohlmann learned in the confessional about two people who had stolen jewelry and convinced them to turn over stolen goods to him. He then returned the goods to the victims. However, after the thieves were later arrested, state prosecutors sought to force Fr. Kohlmann to testify. The court, however, ruled that he was constitutionally exempt.
Putting aside the unconstitutionality, it is a law ripe for abuse. The state would be using the church as an agent to compel confessions on the threat of damnation and then turn over the evidence to the police. Worse yet, if the priest does not give a type of ministerial Miranda, the confessant may not realize the danger. However, it is rather hard for a priest to say that a person must confess their sin while reminding them of the right to remain silent.
The Catholic Church announced that priests will be excommunicated if they follow a new law. They must choose between their faith and the risk of being criminally charged:
“Catholic clergy may not violate the seal of confession — or they will be excommunicated from the Church. All Catholics must know and be assured that their confessions remain sacred, secure, confidential and protected by the law of the Church.”
The Democrats effectively declared war on religion, and particularly the Catholic faith, with this abusive law. The matter is now set for a showdown in the federal courts and, hopefully, an expedited process for judicial review and appeals.
Washington has been one of the most aggressive states in litigating against religious rights, including its long litigation in the Masterpiece Cake Shop case.
In Washington, the governor and the Democrats have added to the four stages of the confession. Examination, confession, absolution, and penance may now be followed by incarceration.
The bill will go into effect on July 26 and make Washington just one of a relatively small number states that do not offer exemptions on such reporting for the confessional.
John Paul II stated that “Confession is an act of honesty and courage – an act of entrusting ourselves, beyond sin, to the mercy of a loving and forgiving God.” It now appears that it will demand greater courage in Washington where both priest and penitent are expected to submit to the authority of the state.
In the synoptic gospels, Jesus declared “render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and unto God the things that are God’s.” This is not one of those things to be rendered to the modern demigods of Olympia.
Jonathan Turley is the Shapiro professor of public interest law at George Washington University and the author of “The Indispensable Right: Free Speech in an Age of Rage.”
A priest friend of mine has the solution. He has gone back to the old-style confessional. “If you can’t see the person, you can’t identify him or her.”
Facts can be so annoying.
Washington law already required “clergy” of various faiths, along with certain other persons identified in the statute, to report suspected child abuse or neglect, not just sexual, pursuant to the statute’s terms. The new – actually amended – law, via S.B.5375, deleted the “Clergy” definition, replacing it with “Member of the clergy.”
The problem Professor Turley notes is another change. Reporting was excused if the information was received through a privileged communication. There is now an exception:
“Except for members of the clergy, no one shall be required to report under this section when he or she obtains the information solely as a result of a privileged communication as provided in RCW 5.60.060.”
Previously, the statute stated, “No one shall be required….”
Like the former duty, the new (amended) one is not limited to “Catholic Church pedophilia,” but to any “reasonable cause to believe” there has been abuse or neglect, not just sexual by Catholic clergy. So, if anyone confesses to abuse or neglect within the sacrament of confession, the priest, or any “member of the clergy” which has a similar sacrament or privileged procedure, must “snitch.”
Try reading the actual bill; it will be more edifying than reflexive, i.e., knee-jerk, reactions:
https://lawfilesext.leg.wa.gov/biennium/2025-26/Pdf/Bills/Session%20Laws/Senate/5375.SL.pdf
PS – The Justice Department is looking into this amended law. What will be interesting is whether, despite the law’s facial application to all “members of the clergy,” regardless of faith or denomination, it is seen as targeting the Catholic Church. Targeting a specific religion was the issue in Church of Lukumi Babalu Aye, Inc. v. City of Hialeah, and hostility to a particular belief was noted in Masterpiece Cakeshop, Ltd. v. Coloradoo Civil Rights Commission and in Fulton v. City of Philadelphia.
Full on attack on religion. So you walk into a confessional and the priest says his piece but right before the confessor begins the priest then blurts out, “any thing you say can and will be used against you”! Certainly defeats the purpose of confessionals and strikes at the almighty. Ooooooo dems
OR it’s a full on attack by religion on State law. It’s either way. Seriously, excommunicated an American citizen for following State law? That’s big.
The State has attacked religion repeatedly by passing hostile laws. Now religion will punish people for following State law. In masterpiece cake, what if the church had said no baker can bake wedding cakes for same sex marriage under penalty of excommunication? Here, the priests are a smaller group being attacked.
Interesting case.
^^^^ Law after law hostile to religion has been passed. What if the State had said to the baker he would be jailed if he didn’t? He had to shutter his business at one point? Same thing here.
Do priests have freedom of religion and it’s practice? Obviously yes and you’ve given States laws to the atheists to practice. Of course atheism is a metaphysical doctrine and not neutral. It’s hostile. The laws are in tall weeds now.
The laws have crossed the line. There shouldn’t be marriage State laws at all. No, priests cannot be mandated reporters by confessional. Phoney churches can be established and used for drug running and other. Louis Farrakhan?
Yes next the state will mandate your defense attorney is a state mandated reporter. That should take care of any defense if you are ever accused of a crime.
^^^ I can hear Kagan now- I JUST DON’T SEE YOU HAVE STANDING!
Who’ll bring the lawsuit on behalf of priests?
#9. Actually, it’s pretty accurate, mans law notwithstanding, anything you did can and will be judged against you. Unless of course you sought a pardon.
Many Democrats believe it’s child abuse to not let a child surgically mutilate his or her sex organs or take puberty blockers. Many Democrats believe it’s NOT child abuse to have 60-year-old groomers prance in lingerie in front of six-year-olds as a form of sex education. Democrat leaders enjoyed their junkets to Epstein Island and REPORTED NOTHING.
These are not my preferred authorities for dealing with child abuse. Sorry, not sorry. Vote for sanity.
Other professions mandate the reporting of child abuse. So should priests.
They can but not from the confessional. Washington will back track
So turley is for protecting pedophiles. He’s pro Jew so it makes sense considering the Jewish talmud promotes sodomy of 9 year old boys and sex with toddlers.
You sound like the drunk who will be out cold shortly. Don’t let the garbage truck run you over.
Great post, but wasn’t the Masterpiece Cake Shop case Colorado? Sorry to quibble. I agree with everything written.
Jonathan: The Catholic Church has a pedophilia problem–and that problem has existed for a long time. The extent of child sexual abuse within the Church has been well documented. The Church has spent millions protecting priests from accountability. So it’s understandable the Church would oppose Washington State Senate Bill 5375. Requiring priests to report the sexual abuse of children by priests, other clergy or parishioners would expose the Church to more adverse publicity, unwanted investigations and possible lawsuits. That’s something the Church does not want and has told priests they will be excommunicated if they comply with the law.
As a good Catholic your bias against the new law is quite evident. You say Bill 5375 is “blatantly unconstitutional”. Why? Because it “conflicts with Canon Law 983.1” and would “target priests”. You say the law is “unconstitutional and a denial of religious liberty”. That is apparently the position of AG Pam “Blondie” who claims the law is “anti-Catholic” and a violation of the “Free Exercise Clause” of the Constitution. None of those claims stand up to scrutiny.
Bill 5375 applies to ALL clergy. It does not “target priests”. The Bill only requires that clergy who learn of the sexual or other abuse of a child report that to government authorities. The Bill doesn’t require that a priest testify in court. so the 183 case of People v. Phillips, which you cite, is not applicable. And the Bill does not violate the Free Exercise Clause. It does not interfere with the right to practice religion by any individual and does not target religious practices.
Society’s interest in protecting children from sexual or other types of abuse should be of paramount concern. But in your view, Bill 5375 conflicts with Canon Law and should therefore be stricken down. Funny, I didn’t learn that part in law school–how Catholic Canon Law trumps civil law. You will have to explain that one to me!
Next, Denny-poo will give us a lecture on the separation of church and stare. With his usual lack of self-awareness, as usual!
Dear DNC Troll – How can you force yourself to write this sentence: “Society’s interest in protecting children from sexual or other types of abuse should be of paramount concern.” You people are the ones pushing the trans agenda, which results in the physical, unreversable mutilation of teenagers. You don’t care about children.
Then on the other hand California allows judges discretion as whether a grown man can rape an under aged boy 14 years old if it is “consensual.”
Children do not and never will have consensual sex. It is rape. It destroys the soul.
The sick mind and depravity of Alfred Kinsey has forever changed the legal ramifications of sex crimes in this country and around the world.
” The Catholic Church has a pedophilia problem–and that problem has existed for a long time. ”
False as usual. The catholic church is one of he largest institutions in the world. There as 1.4B roman catholics in the world. Like any group everyone is not a saint.
Statistically pedophilia is no more common amoung catholics than others.
It is no more common among catholic priests than either professions that have significant exposure to children. There is a larger percent of pedophiles among teachers than priests.
But practically every preist in the world that is a pedophile makes the news – especially in the US.
But the catholic church has two other problems
The first is that it is a big target with lots of money.
That does not diminish the harm done by pedophile priests.
But your not filing a class action suit that will get global attention, against the nowhereville Teachers association.
The second is like many institutions – particularly ones with long lives it has hidden its problems,
and that proves embarrassing as the light is finally turned on.
I have little sympathy for the problems the catholic church has. But unlike you I am not stupid enough to beleive they are unique.
Regardless, you remain an idiot as always – whether the catholic church opposed or supported
Washingtons law – does not change the FACT that it will accomplish nothing – except left wing nut virtue signaling – but then that is always the point with you left wing nuts.
You do not seek to solve problems – just to appear to do something about them.
Then when your efforts fail as they obviously will – you demand even more power.
Lets presume that your idiot law is enacted and that it is actually obeyed by all.
Do you think Pedophiles are morons ? Do you think they will confess to preists knowing that the priest will rat them out ?
Of course not. Why are you so blind to the obvious ?
You have things BACKWARDS – priests, counselors, psychiatrists, ministers – ANYONE who pedophiles might come to, who will tell them to seek help, should be protected from mandatory disclosure – not FORCE to do something stupid.
Those on the right make the same idiot mistake with red flag gun laws.
Most on the right support confiscating peoples firearms if they have mental health problems, and denying them to right to buy firearms. Everytime there is a mass shooting – those on the right rant about how that person never should have been allowed to own a fire arm.
But the problem with the red flag laws is the same as the problem with this stupid washington law.
The only ACTUAL effect is fewer people with problems seeking help.
The announcement by the church that any priest who revealed the contents of a confession would be excommunicated is not some new catholic policy. It did not need to be announced.
It is part of catholic theoology as old as the church.
So in addition to passing a law that will cause harm rather than help, you are so stupid as to pass a law that will NOT be obeyed.
Worse still – you are passing a law that harms, does not help, will not be obeyed and can not be enforced.
Are you going to start bugging catholic confessionals ?
As I said before – this law is just pure left wing nut virtue signaling.
John Say, You didn’t really address Dennis’ point.
The Catholic Church does have a pedophilia problem and it did have a serious one for decades. You’re not directly disputing it. You’re just trying to minimize it by comparing it with other organizations that have no real equal problem as the church. The Church KNEW they had a bunch of pedophiles for years. They were more concerned about the reputation of the church than of the victims. Your attempt at defending the issue by making apples to oranges comparisons without an ounce of statistics is telling.
“ But practically every preist in the world that is a pedophile makes the news – especially in the US.”
Well yeah, Because the Church represents a bastion of moral authority. It makes the church hugely hypocritical and essentially blasphemous when it deliberately hides pedophile priests while they let children and families suffer. The Church’s moral imperatives took a serious hit when the scandal broke. Trust in the church was destroyed.
You don’t seem to understand that the law requires priests to report child abuse, not just from confessing pedophiles, but vicitms or concerned familiy members. Dennis is right. The church’s religious liberty is not infringed because a priest is madated to report child abuse. Doctors are required by law to report child abuse, therapists are required to report child abuse, schools are too. The requirment for all clergy not just catholics is similar.
The only reason you and Turley are critical of the law is because he falsely claims this is aimed at the Catholic church only.
You know you don’t have an argument when you call a law stupid without offering a real rebuttal.
The law is no different than any other law requiring reporting child abuse in other professions. They do not prevent people from seeking help.
it does not matter if the law is not obeyed. If it is discovered that a priest ignored the law he can be prosecuted. It can fall under aiding and abbetting laws or obstruction of justice.
Dennis is right. Cannon law does not Trump federal law. That’s why a religion that would require human sacrifice as part of their faith would not be exempt from murder charges.
It is squarely aimed at the Catholic Church, because no other religion requires the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
No one disputes that the Scandal occurred, and that a series of clergy in positions of authority covered up crimes, enabled them to continue, and transferred priests to unsuspecting parishes.
That is a reflection on sinful people, who abused their positions of trust and authority, not on the Catholic faith itself. The Church faced such backlash from its own faithful that she instilled system wide safety protocols.
There have been similar problems among Imams in Islam.
There have arguably been more such crimes in the public school system. Is that the fault of the teachers and administrators involved, or shall we ban public schools? It happens in private schools, as well, so are we banning private schools, too?
“ You have things BACKWARDS – priests, counselors, psychiatrists, ministers – ANYONE who pedophiles might come to, who will tell them to seek help, should be protected from mandatory disclosure – not FORCE to do something stupid.”
You miss the point. If a pedophile comes to a counselor, priest, psychiatrist, mininster, etc. to seek help it’s one thing. But if one admits to having abused or raped a child is an entirely different thing. Confessing a crime especially a serious one like raping a child to a priest or anyone else in those professions where confidentiality is legally protected should be one of those rare exemptions from confidentiality protections.
The Church suffered huge financial losses because it chose not to report pedophiles in it’s midst and because it knew they had a problem and chose to keep it hidden and let victims suffer in silence for years. That’s some serious moral corruption. Jesus would excommunicate and rebuke the entire Church for such a transgression.
John Say says “Do you think Pedophiles are morons ? Do you think they will confess to preists [sic] knowing that the priest will rat them out ?” but I say to you the pedophile priests who confess their pedophilia to another priest and get their get-out-of-sin-free card reveals the injustice inherent in Catholic theology.
The Ten Commandments is a top-ten list of the things you can get away with if you subscribe to that theology.
They got this part right: There ain’t no cosmic justice. No cosmic correlation between crime and punishment. Reality is not inherently just.
“As a good Catholic your bias against the new law is quite evident. You say Bill 5375 is “blatantly unconstitutional”. Why? Because it “conflicts with Canon Law 983.1” and would “target priests”.
Those would be excellent reasons.
“You say the law is “unconstitutional and a denial of religious liberty”. That is apparently the position of AG Pam “Blondie” who claims the law is “anti-Catholic” and a violation of the “Free Exercise Clause” of the Constitution. ”
If Bondi has said that – good for her. and another good reason the law is unconstitutional.
“None of those claims stand up to scrutiny. Bill 5375 applies to ALL clergy. It does not “target priests”. ”
Does not change the constitutionality problem in the slightest.
Infringing on a first amendment right requires meeting strict scrutiny.
You have to not only have a compelling government interest,
you must have the least infringing alternative,
and you have to actually be doing something that works.
As anyone with two brain cells can figure out:
This law will result in people not seeking help,
It will result in willfull disobediance of the law.
It will be enenforceable.
All of these are things laws should completely avoid.
Yet foolish left wing nuts rush in.
You appear to have CDS as well as TDS – aparently you are one of those loons that beleive catholics sacrifice babies, or other such nonsense.
As I have noted many times – my wife is a criminal appellate lawyer.
Most of her cases are sex offenses.
In 20 years – not a single priest. I do not recall a single minister, but there might have been one or two. A few police officers, but the single largest profession of pedophiles has been Teachers.
That said – most pedophiles are NOT priests or teachers or …
They are step fathers, or uncles or more rarely fathers, or boyfriends or relatives.
“The Bill only requires that clergy who learn of the sexual or other abuse of a child report that to government authorities. The Bill doesn’t require that a priest testify in court. so the 183 case of People v. Phillips, which you cite, is not applicable.”
Actually mandatory reporting is a more egregious violation than mandatory testimony.
“And the Bill does not violate the Free Exercise Clause.”
Of course it does.
” It does not interfere with the right to practice religion by any individual and does not target religious practices.”
It targets confession, and it interferes not just with a religious practice, but with the religious sacrament of confession.
“Society’s interest in protecting children from sexual or other types of abuse should be of paramount concern.”
The phrase “societies interest” is a typical left wing nut phrase to hide a multitude of sin.
It is NEVER in societies interests to pass laws that discourge people from seeking help.
It is NEVER in societies interests to pass laws that will not be obeyed.
It is NEVER in societies interests to pass laws that are not enforceable.
“But in your view, Bill 5375 conflicts with Canon Law and should therefore be stricken down. ”
No it conflicts with the first amendment.
“Funny, I didn’t learn that part in law school–how Catholic Canon Law trumps civil law. ”
All religious law trumps all civil law in matters that are the domain of religion.
Your argument is stupid. Confession is a religious sacrament.
People – including Pedophiles do not go to confession for any secular purpose.
“You will have to explain that one to me!”
If you only had a brain.
Dennis, it is amazing – you can actually manage to come down on the wrong side of nearly everything.
I have no idea if Bondi made the statements that you claim – and it is not like you are a trustworthy reporter.
But I would expect ANY US AG to oppose this idiocy.
I have no idea where Trump stands – though I would hope he would oppose this.
I would also hope Biden Obama, Schumer Pelosi, Merrit Garland, AG Barr, Holder, ….
would all also oppose this idiocy.
I would even hope that lawyers and others who support this atleast in principle – would still be smart enough to OPPOSE
passing laws that discourge people from seeking help.
Encourge people to violate the law.
Are unenforceable.
Societies interests, the laws interests, are NEVER served when a law violates even one of those.
“Funny, I didn’t learn that part in law school–how Catholic Canon Law trumps civil law”. Why yes, matters of conscience do trump civil law. You really would’ve like this in reverse. Then the politicians could tell you what to believe or put you in jail.
Denise:
This law targets Catholics, the largest denomination of Christianity in the world, because it is the only religion that requires the Act of Reconciliation.
It was not the seal of the Confessional that led to the Scandal, but rather administrations failing to report allegations of abuse to the police, and instead moving priests to unsuspecting parishes. Victims, parents, and those who saw something, and said something, were ignored and the allegations covered up.
Do you know who else has done the exact same thing? Public schools, the Boy Scouts, dance schools, youth camps, underprivileged youth mentorship programs, athletic organizations (from Sandusky to the Olympic gymnastics teams), riding instructors…
Pedophiles are attracted to professions that give them authority over, and contact with, kids. For pedophiles to assault children requires access, as well as an administrative structure that will cover up allegations. It is especially grievous when this has happened in the Catholic Church, because it violates the faith, and trust of a congregation, but it has happened in all of the above.
Since the Act of Reconciliation is a required Sacrament of Catholics, you cannot practice the Catholic faith in its entirety without it. By banning the seal of the Confessional, Washington State banned Catholicism.
I wonder how you would feel if attorney-client privilege was banned.
If it’s proved a priest is a pedophile by testimony of victims then prosecute and sentence like anyone else.
What the church can do is add reporting by victims immediately to law enforcement and teach that in every catholic school.
Good grief. The unconstitutionality is based on the free exercise clause of the 1st Amendment as Turkey stated. The Canon law exposition shows just how the law violates the constitution.
My apologies to Mr. Turley. I did not notice the autocorrect before posting. Dennis still has reading comprehension issues.
This post is a must for unblocked gaming! Side Eye Emoji
Wow! So if I commit rape, murder, and sexual mutilation and seek forgiveness from God, I can expect total protection from the church? What other crimes will enjoy this? Terrorism? Mass murder? Poisoning our water supply?
Jesus never said; “Confess your sins and you will be protected from justice under the laws of Caesar……”
Considering that Peter PUBLICLY took the lives of two church members: Ananias and his wife, over deception to the church, the idea that confessing your sins to a priest affords you protection from the laws of a government overseen and appointed in time and place by God seems a LARGE stretch of moral fiber.
Show me in the Constitution where our religious beliefs provide immunity from the laws of Congress.
Brian – the church does not offer you protection from the consequences of your crimes.
It only refuses to disclose what you confessed to a priest in confession.
And that would include murder, rape, terrorism, …
As to where in the constitution – that would be the first amendment.
Govenrment can not infringe on the free excercise of religion.
Contra Dennis – no societal interest is served.
Laws that disincentivize people from seeking help are NOT in societies interests.
Not only should priests be protected, but doctors, psychiatrists, counselors, because we do not want people with problems to avoid seeking help.
While this law violates the first amendment, it is also just plain STUPID.
Laws that will not be obeyed are NOT in societies interests.
Laws that can not be enforced are NOT in societies interests.
No one will then confess child abuse. Next , any crime must be reported. No one will confess theft, murder or battery. As to adultery, anything goes except pedophilia for now. The graven images against the law are forgeries and counterfeit. Will those be reported? For envy, vandalism but that’s really a form theft.
Scotus will uphold the confessional, multiple wives as harms, body mutilation of women, shaved heads and sacred clothes, stoning for adultery probably won’t fly but suicide for adultery goes undetected, dynamite vests…
Transgender spectrum relationships (e.g. couplets), pedophilia, sadomasochism, friendship with “benefits” (e.g. polygamy), etc are legal under Democratic law. #NoJudgment #NoLabels #LustWins
Planned parenthood where they wield liberal license to entertain abortive ideation to remove “burdens” of evidence and other purposes following progressive principles under the Pro-Choice religion are also not reported. Demos-cracy is aborted at The Twilight Fringe.
^^ The reason child abuse was selected?
So the church overrides State law? Can a church override State law? How would anyone know?
Absurdity
Your confessing to a crime before a priest doesn’t exonerate or protect you; it simply means the priest can’t turn you in. The government must use its normal means.
Do you believe that a wife should be compelled to implicate her husband, then? No more spousal testimony privilege?
We have ways of making you talk. Independent Bob.
I wonder if Washington state requires teachers’ union leadership to report any suspected cases of child abuse committed by teachers in the state?
Ditto re: reporters!
Poor Seth Rich!
__________________
Attorney Ty Clevenger BLASTS FBI’s “Weak” Excuses in Seth Rich Case — Demands Congress to Haul FBI Into Hearings: “Patel and Bondi Have Allowed the FBI to Continue its Pattern of Obfuscation and Delay”
– Jim Hoft
Seth Rich’s case is totally explainable.
Seth downloaded files from a Sever (He was the DNC I.T. person) that had Hillary Clinton and Others email communications onto a USB stick or portable drive. Maybe he downloaded a copy of the server’s ‘backup files’ cloned it or ghosted it.
He then went to sell the information (Files), He made ‘Contact’ with a Buyer (a covert US Gov. Asset), and went to meet them.
The meeting was to verify that he had the File Information. He did. The Buyer was never going to ‘buy’ the files, they just wanted verification, then the Buyer lie in wait at the very place they knew Rich would show up (his apartment bldg), instead of following him all around NYC (so not to be caught on camers). When Seth got home, they killed him and took the USB device, leaving everything else on his person intact.
Police didn’t catalog a missing USB because it wasn’t known to them that he carried one on his person. Since everything else Seth had was on his person (Wallet, Money, etc..) it wasn’t a “Robbery” and no apparent struggle was evident, it was a straight forward Murder according to the Police.
It was an assassination-murder for the recovery of DNC Files that were being sold off by Rich.
Simple shot to the head, recover the device (USB), and close the leak.
Does the Catholic Church impose affirmative action?
Clergy were already mandatory reporters… with the exception of “privileged communications”. In the State of Washington, that exception has now been removed.
Not to worry though, it has been retained for lawyers, peer supporters (which can include first responders, active or retired, department of corrections staff person, or jail staff person or a civilian employee of a first responder entity or agency, local jail, or state agency who has received training to provide emotional and moral support and services), sexual assault advocates, domestic violence advocates, and therapists.
So… there are circumstances in which the prison guard will not need to testify to retain his liberty, but the priest always will.
Karen S: what MAGA media outlet told you this?
GullibleGirl (gigi) just go away if you cannot contribute anything worthwhile.
Why do you beleive this is a MAGA issue ?
The only way this is even slightly MAGA – is it is another example of left wing nut stupidity.
Extra omnes (Everyone out)
Black smoke emerged from the chimney atop the Sistine Chapel at 1900 Rome time. No Pope was elected on the first day of the papal conclave.
Around 45,000 people had gathered in St Peter’s Square to await the announcement, which had been expected some time after 7pm. In the end, they had to wait until 9. – Vatican News
Oremus!
In my memory the black smoke comes for several days.
Esstovir — 9 pm is 2100 hoiurs.
I like the chosen name, Pope Leo XIV. I was not very familiar with him as a Cardinal.
As most of you know who follow the good professor’s blog, I am not religious but I would say something more like spiritual. In high school I read Huston Smith’s The World’s Religions. It covers most of the more common religions to include Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism, Taoism, Judaism, Christianity, Islam. I learned each has something to offer to the betterment of mankind.
However, history has shown sometimes, religions can have a dark past, use and abuse of power. We may not like it, but we are human and not without or faults or as some would say, sins.
Having said that, I do not like the idea of mandating anything when it comes to religion. Separation of church and state. Otherwise someone could mandate one particular religion as the official state religion and all others to be outlawed. I will defend someones right to their religion. Just dont try to force it on me or others. I think that is why so many of us take issue with woke leftism. It is a religion in its own. And they are trying to force it upon everyone.