Catholic Bishop Joseph Tyson of the Yakima Diocese speaks at a St. Rose of Lima Catholic School function in November 2024. Tyson expressed concern about a state law that could potentially require priests to break the seal of the confessional if a confessor admits to abusing a child during confession.
May 6, 2025
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May 7, 2025 2:50 a.m.
U.S. Justice Dept. to investigate new WA law requiring clergy to report child abuse
(The Center Square) – Just three days after Gov. Bob Ferguson signed into law a bill requiring religious leaders in Washington state to report child abuse or neglect – even when it’s disclosed in confession – the U.S. Justice Department announced on Monday it has opened a civil rights investigation based on what it regards as a prima facie First Amendment violation.