Seal of Confession: US Government Sues Federal State

The US Department of Justice is suing the state of Washington over a new law requiring priests to disclose information about child abuse learned during confession.

The lawsuit, filed on 23 June, argued that the Washington law 'violates the free exercise of religion for all Catholics'.

It singles out Catholic priests, forcing them to choose between violating their religious vows and risking excommunication, or facing up to 364 days in jail and a $5,000 fine.

Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon called the law 'anti-Catholic'.

The US government is joining a lawsuit already filed by bishops in Seattle, Spokane and Yakima, which has been followed by several Orthodox schismatic groups.

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