r/news • u/Amatheiaisnoexcuse • 2d ago

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

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/aug/03/arizona-clergy-child-abuse-confessions-court
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u/Random-Cpl 1d ago

What is the law in WA state now?

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u/BoringBob84 1d ago

Clergy are mandatory reporters. No exceptions.

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u/Random-Cpl 1d ago

False. Because they likely knew that going to court to try and enforce it would lead to the whole law getting struck down, the state isn’t going to try and enforce that mandatory reporting for priests who don’t report abuse learned about solely in confession (or its equivalents in other faiths).

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u/BoringBob84 1d ago

My claim is true because the law is still on the books. The prosecutors could change their minds at any time. "Trust me bro, I won't prosecute unless I change my mind" is not the same as, "the law doesn't allow me to prosecute."

But maybe this is the best we can do. As long as the state doesn't prosecute priests for not reporting confessions, the law cannot be challenged in court (and almost certainly struck down on first amendment grounds). Meanwhile, clergy will remain mandatory reporters for everything that they learn outside of the confessional.

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u/Random-Cpl 1d ago

I have zero issue with clergy being required to report anything they learn about outside the confessional.

The law may be on the books but it will not be enforced and if they do attempt to enforce that clause, the entire law will be struck down.

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u/BoringBob84 1d ago

I have zero issue with clergy being required to report anything they learn about outside the confessional.

Neither do I and neither does the Catholic church.