Justice Department sues Washington state over law forcing priests to break confession seal

Purple stole and confessional. / Credit: Roman023_photography/Shutterstock CNA Staff, Jun 23, 2025 / 17:13 pm (CNA). The Department of Justice filed a lawsuit against the state of Washington over its recent law mandating that priests must violate the seal of confession if child abuse is learned about during the sacrament of reconciliation. The DOJ in a press release announcing the lawsuit filed on June 23 said the Washington law “violates the free exercise of religion for all Catholics.” “The seal…