Federal court blocks Washington law that would force priests to violate seal of confession

null / Credit: Brian A Jackson/Shutterstock CNA Staff, Jul 18, 2025 / 12:30 pm (CNA). A federal court on July 18 blocked a controversial Washington state reporting law that would require priests to violate the seal of confession, siding with the state’s Catholic bishops who brought suit against the measure earlier this year. The law, passed by the state Legislature earlier this year and signed by Gov. Robert Ferguson, added clergy to the list of mandatory abuse reporters in the…