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Archdiocese of Seattle

Washington bishops sue over seal of confession

‘The sacramental seal is inviolable’

Michelle La Rosa
May 29, 2025
∙ Paid

The bishops of Washington filed a lawsuit Thursday challenging a new state law that requires priests to violate the seal of confession if they suspect the abuse of minors.

Confessional Credit Angela Marie via Flickr CC BY 20 CNA 12 16 14
A Catholic confessional. Credit: Angela Marie via Flickr. (CC BY SA 2.0)

The May 29 lawsuit argues that the new law violates First Amendment religious freedom protections, as well as th…

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