A Law Long Overdue
Washington State is advancing a bill that would require all clergy to report child abuse or neglect, even when disclosed during the ritual called confession. In Catholicism, confession is a routine ritual where individuals enter a dimly lit booth to confess their sins to an anonymous priest seated on the other side of a screened partition. I went through it dozens of times as a kid—and yes, it’s every bit as unsettling and unbiblical as it sounds.
According to LifeSite News, the proposed law could see priests facing jail time for refusing to comply with the order to report these crimes—a move that’s drawing outrage from the Catholic Church. For centuries, the Vatican has been the poster child for shielding predators, hiding evidence, and refusing to comply with the law—all under the guise of religious freedom. But in addition to U.S. laws against this sort of obstruction of justice, the Bible is crystal clear on this issue: “Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them.” (Ephesians 5:11)
If doctors, teachers, and social workers are mandated to report crimes against children, why would priests (or anyone else, for that matter) be above the law? There’s simply nothing sacred about hiding criminal abuse, and there’s nothing righteous about protecting the criminal from due process.
The Battle Ahead
The proposed Washington bill is already facing legal challenges, with Catholic officials claiming it violates both First Amendment rights and long-standing church doctrine. Yet, proponents of the bill argue that the so-called “seal of confession” is nothing more than a shield for predators—a dangerous loophole that lets clergy conceal evidence of criminal activity under the guise of religious duty (LifeSite News). As the debate intensifies, lawmakers are bracing for what could be a landmark case in the ongoing battle between state law and church secrecy.
As discussed in our previous article on the new Pope, the Vatican continues to promote heretical practices that oppose biblical truth. This is not just a religious institution that has lost its way – it’s a system that actively ignores the Word of God to protect its lawless rituals and abusive practices. Total reform is desperately needed. Pray for lawmakers to stand firm against religious corruption. Pray for justice for every victim. And pray for the day when the Vatican begins to govern by Sola Scriptura—the Bible alone.
