Tag: clergy-penitent privilege

This week in religion news: A legal fight over clergy-penitent privilege, major church leadership elections, a new hate crimes hotline in Washington, and IRS shifts on church political endorsements.

WA’s SB 5375 adds clergy as mandatory child abuse reporters — even for confessions. Survivors await Gov. Ferguson’s signature by May 15.

Washington seeks to reduce clergy-penitent privilege to fight abuse, but critics see it as freedom of religion. American Atheists push for more equal treatment.

Washington lawmakers push bills requiring clergy to report child abuse, sparking fierce debate over confession privacy. Catholic bishops vow to protect confessional despite abuse reporting mandate.