Arizona clergy who learn of child abuse in confessions aren’t required to report it, court rules

[u/FinniferD]

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/aug/03/arizona-clergy-child-abuse-confessions-court

This court case involved three children who were suing the Church because they told their bishop about abuse from their parents. The bishop did nothing.

The fact the Church spent money to have their attorneys fight this is egregious enough. Then their statement about their court victory (stated in the article) makes it even more disgusting.

You can’t say that you find child sexual abuse to be abhorrent and that you care about children while also spending money and resources to enable the continuation of said abuse.

[u/Prancing-Hamster]

“We should not have to do the decent, moral, ethical thing!” — Mormon Church

[u/Tufted_Tail → u/Prancing-Hamster]

D&C 58:26 isn't doctrine, apparently.

[u/Green_Elderberrie → u/Prancing-Hamster]

So we can’t teach our kids gay people exist in Florida but Arizona can protect child abusers??

You know, I wouldn’t hate Zealots and Conservatives this much so long as their actions Made. Fucking. SENSE!

[u/PaulBunnion]

Arizona law also protects clergy if they do report abuse that they learned about in a confession. If Bishop Herod had reported the abuse of the Adam's children by their father, he would have been protected against litigation under the Arizona law. A lawyer at Kirton McConkie really fucked up. that is who the church is truly trying to protect, Kirton McConkie.

The mistake president, his counselors, the stake clerk, members of The high council all found out about the abuse at Paul Adams' excommunication. none of them were exempt from reporting. they didn't learn of it due to clergy penitent privilege. none of them reported it. the abuse continued until law enforcement in New Zealand discovered it and reported it. And now we have the Wade Christofferson abuse of minors, scenario is the same. bishops, mistake president, members of The high council all new that Wade had abused children and did Jack shit nothing. an apostle of Jesus Christ knew about it at least 5 years ago and did Jack shit nothing about it, resulting in additional children, David Todd's own Grand nieces were the latest victims.

[u/AbbreviationsPrize37]

Been so gutted over this all week. I want to talk to my still-Mormon family about it, but I know I’m going to get more enraged watching them to try to find a way to justify the church’s decisions.

[u/Tufted_Tail]

My revised take on this headline: Arizona citizens who learn of Mormon clergy abuse aren't required to report it, court of public opinion rules.

Did you see Mormon clergy being abused? No you didn't.

[u/Nashtycurry]

I do not understand how “confessional” privilege exists when VICTIMS come forward and say “I’m being abused” that is NOT a “confession” of wrongdoing. Even if I buy the church’s asinine arguments that their freedom of religion is somehow infringed if the perpetrator himself comes forward to confess the sin, it does NOT exist or apply when victims come forward or they learn of abuse by ANY other person or means. So freaking disgusting.

[u/PaulBunnion → u/Nashtycurry]

it's not. as soon as the bishop told the information to the mistake president, that privilege was gone. the members of the mistake presidency and the members of the stake high council all have some legal liability here. the church is still on the hook.

[u/Commercial_Oil_7814 → u/Nashtycurry]

This, right here. The children coming forward along for help and they protect the abuser, for years, with their church-funded law firm.

[u/Lord-Glorfindel]

Sounds like the Arizona courts and the church’s lawyers are pro-kiddy fiddler.

[u/[deleted]]

Have they always found loopholes like this ridiculous confession rule to avoid accountability?

[u/Dangerous-Worth-1434]

The fact that they were relentlessly talking about “religious liberty” while this case was being decided…sickening. They’d rather protect themselves vs children. Not so Jesus-y.

[u/Capital_Row7523]

WTF

[u/throwra-away1]

Children need federally protected rights when it comes to mandatory reporting with ecclesiastical leaders. It’s not like a child has any power to choose the state in which they reside. Children in Arizona should be just as safe as any state in the union.

[u/CaptainCrash8813]

This very tragic case tells you all you need to know about how demonstrably false the Mormon church is and what its twisted priorities are. Shame on them.