“We do not oppose the proposed legislation, as initially written, but we are concerned about the possibility that the language could be changed to require that Catholic priests report such abuse even if they have learned about the abuse solely during the sacrament of confession,” Solis said in a Feb. 2 letter.
The bishop said in his letter that any requirement that would force priests to break the seal of confession would force them to “face the untenable choice of breaking the law or being excommunicated.”
“I respectfully ask our legislators to oppose any legislation that curtails religious liberties, and I encourage all the Church faithful to talk to their respective representatives, give them a call, send a letter or email and make them aware of the centrality of the seal of the confessional to our faith,” Solis said.
Rep. Anthony Loubet, the chief sponsor of the bill, told CNA that he expresses his “sincere gratitude” for the bishop’s remarks and conveyed his “utmost respect for the [Catholic Church’s] ongoing benevolence it extends to communities.” He said that the language is meant to “strike a balance that respects religious freedoms while also safeguarding the well-being of children.”
“In the deliberation of this legislation, my intent was to navigate with sensitivity and find a delicate equilibrium,” Loubet said. “The aim was to provide religious organizations the option to report, ensuring they benefit from the liability protections afforded to other mandatory reporters in cases of child abuse and neglect. Simultaneously, I aimed to respect those institutions with policies or practices prohibiting disclosure, upholding the sanctity and confidentiality intrinsic to certain relationships.”
The bill received its first reading in the House on Wednesday, Jan. 31.
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