Washington state’s Catholic bishops filed a federal lawsuit on May 29, 2025, in Tacoma challenging a new law requiring priests to report suspected child abuse even if learned during confession. The lawsuit arose after Gov. Bob Ferguson signed Senate Bill 5375 on May 2, which expands mandatory reporting to clergy without exception for the confessional seal, unlike most other states.
Represented by the Becket religious liberty firm, the bishops argue the law forces priests to violate nearly 2,000 years of Church teaching or face criminal penalties including jail and fines.
Mark Rienzi called the law “about jailing priests for following the Church’s ancient faith practices” and the lawsuit claims the law constitutes religious discrimination violating the First Amendment.
The lawsuit seeks to block the law’s implementation, arguing it unlawfully burdens religious freedom and risks undermining the trust essential to the sacrament of confession.
