The Roman Catholic bishops of the state of Washington announced on May 28th, that they are suing the state over a new law that will force priests in Washington to choose between breaking the sacred seal of confession or facing jail time. Senate Bill 5375 — which Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson signed into law on May 2 — is at issue in Etienne v. Ferguson. The new law requires clergy to report abuse and neglect if shared within the sacred confines of the confessional.
Becket and co-counsel Wilmer Hale and First Liberty Institute represent Archbishop Etienne, Bishop Thomas Daly, Bishop Joseph Tyson, Bishop Eusebio Elizondo, Bishop Frank Schuster and several parish priests who are challenging the law in federal court. (Northwest Catholic)
FULL TEXT From Washington bishops to the lay faithful Subject: Update on State Law
Dear Sisters and Brothers,
As you may know, Governor Ferguson signed into law a provision that seeks to require priests to violate the Seal of the Confessional in some circumstances. Priests are unable to violate the Seal under any circumstances. As the Vatican wrote on the topic in 2019, The inviolable secrecy of Confession comes directly from the revealed divine right and is rooted in the very nature of the Sacrament, to the point of not admitting any exception in the ecclesial sphere, nor, least of all, in the civil one.1
Indeed, the Church has said that “political action or legislative initiative[s] aimed at ‘breaching’ the inviolability of the seal” are “an unacceptable offense against libertas Ecclesiae, which does not receive its legitimacy from individual States, but from God.”2
Given this troubling development in state law, we are addressing this matter through litigation. While the details of this case are sensitive and will be handled with care, we want to assure you that this action is being taken to protect the mission and integrity of the Church. The United States and Washington State Constitutions provide robust protection for our faith and we are confident in our legal position. Our attorneys have filed the case, and we will keep you informed as appropriate, while respecting the confidentiality required in such matters. Thank you for your prayers and faithfulness. May God bless you, and may Our Lady keep you in her care.
In the Heart of Christ,
Most Rev. Paul D. Etienne -Archbishop of Seattle
As you may know, Governor Ferguson signed into law a provision that seeks to require priests to violate the Seal of the Confessional in some circumstances. Priests are unable to violate the Seal under any circumstances. As the Vatican wrote on the topic in 2019, The inviolable secrecy of Confession comes directly from the revealed divine right and is rooted in the very nature of the Sacrament, to the point of not admitting any exception in the ecclesial sphere, nor, least of all, in the civil one.1
Indeed, the Church has said that “political action or legislative initiative[s] aimed at ‘breaching’ the inviolability of the seal” are “an unacceptable offense against libertas Ecclesiae, which does not receive its legitimacy from individual States, but from God.”2
Given this troubling development in state law, we are addressing this matter through litigation. While the details of this case are sensitive and will be handled with care, we want to assure you that this action is being taken to protect the mission and integrity of the Church. The United States and Washington State Constitutions provide robust protection for our faith and we are confident in our legal position. Our attorneys have filed the case, and we will keep you informed as appropriate, while respecting the confidentiality required in such matters. Thank you for your prayers and faithfulness. May God bless you, and may Our Lady keep you in her care.
In the Heart of Christ,
Most Rev. Paul D. Etienne -Archbishop of Seattle
Most Rev. Joseph J. Tyson - Bishop of Yakima
Most Rev. Thomas A. Daly - Bishop of Spokane
Most Rev. Eusebio Elizondo, M.Sp.S.
Most Rev. Eusebio Elizondo, M.Sp.S.
Most Rev. Frank Schuster
Auxiliary Bishops of Seattle
Auxiliary Bishops of Seattle
Source: https://archseattle.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/From-Washington-bishops-to-the-lay-faithful_05-28-2025-min.pdf
Comments