Mary Ann Dunwell Archives

Orthodox churches sue Washington state over law forcing priests to violate Seal of Confession

Orthodox churches, represented by Alliance Defending Freedom, filed the latest legal challenge to Washington’s new law forcing priests to violate the Seal of Confession or face jail time.

News

Matt Lamb

• Jun 18, 2025Jun 19, 2025

Washington advances bill to jail priests for not breaking seal of confession

A bill to throw priests in jail for nearly a year for not breaking the seal of confessional is moving forward in the state of Washington. However, Bishop Thomas Daly and a legal scholar have criticized the bill's obvious religious freedom problems.

News

Matt Lamb

• Feb 10, 2025Feb 11, 2025

Washington bill would jail priests for not breaking Seal of Confession: ‘No exemption’

A Democratic state senator in Washington wants to mandate that priests commit an excommunicable offense or face jail time for not breaking the sacred Seal of Confession.

News

Matt Lamb

• Feb 4, 2025Feb 5, 2025

Montana kills bill to jail priests for 5 years for not revealing what they hear in counseling

A Montana bill to jail priests for up to five years for not violating the Seal of Confession appears to have died in committee. The vote is a victory for the religious freedom of Catholic priests and the laity.

News

Matt Lamb

• Jan 31, 2025Jan 31, 2025

Montana bill would still jail priests 5 years for not revealing what they hear in counseling

A Montana bill to jail priests for up to five years for not violating the Seal of Confession still puts them in legal jeopardy and removes some protections, even after being amended. Still, the Montana Catholic Conference supports it.

Analysis

Matt Lamb

• Jan 29, 2025Jan 29, 2025

Montana bill would jail priests for 5 years if they refuse to violate seal of confession

A bill proposed by Montana Democrats would jail Catholic priests for upholding the confessional seal, to which they are bound by Canon Law. Catholic League criticized the bill as ‘an egregious violation of the First Amendment.’

News

Matt Lamb

• Jan 22, 2025

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Articles tagged Mary Ann Dunwell

Orthodox churches sue Washington state over law forcing priests to violate Seal of Confession

Washington advances bill to jail priests for not breaking seal of confession

Washington bill would jail priests for not breaking Seal of Confession: ‘No exemption’

Montana kills bill to jail priests for 5 years for not revealing what they hear in counseling

Montana bill would still jail priests 5 years for not revealing what they hear in counseling

Montana bill would jail priests for 5 years if they refuse to violate seal of confession