On May 3, 2025, Washington State Governor Bob Ferguson, a confirmed Catholic, signed into law a controversial measure requiring priests to report child abuse to authorities — even when such information is revealed during the sacrament of confession.

Ferguson told reporters he felt it was important legislation to pass, stating that, as a Catholic, he is “very familiar” with the sacrament of confession. A 2023 version of the proposal included an exemption for abuse allegations “solely as a result of confession,” but the latest bill explicitly removes that protection, stating that clergy are not eligible for a “privileged communication” exemption.

Now for our analysis. First off, the sacrament of confession cannot be likened or defined by any secular institution. The seal of confession is a sacred bond between the clergy, laity, and God Himself. Agios Dionysios of Zakynthos famously received the confession of a fugitive wanted for murder, and as the confession continued, St. Dyonisios realized that the wanted man had murdered his own brother.

After confession, the authorities came to him and asked if he had any information about the murder of his brother, to which the Saint claimed he knew nothing. He even sheltered the fugitive and helped him escape the authorities, with full knowledge of his crimes.

This is a beautiful example of how confession is viewed within the Orthodox Church. Our understanding of God’s love and mercy transcends any secular legal theories.

KTE shares the concerns of those who work to root out child abuse and other heinous crimes, but the church is a hospital, not a courtroom. Justice – although desirable – is not found in confession, but repentance is. There will always be a better way to protect people and stop crimes that does not involve undermining the sacraments.

Additionally, the separation of church and state has been a guiding principle of American politics for the majority of the United States’ existence. Many Americans believe that the government should not be influenced by any religion, as we are heavily diverse — both ethnically and spiritually.

Similarly, this ethos insists that the government should not interfere with or suppress the peaceful practices of any religion. This piece of legislation is a clear violation of the First Amendment, which guarantees each citizen the right to freely practice their chosen religion without government interference.

The Washington state government’s decision to willingly violate this constitutional right — that is, by forcing priests to betray their faith by breaking the holy seal of confession — is not only ethically bankrupt, but will prove to be entirely ineffective at preventing any form of criminality.

As Orthodox Christians, we must remember that although we live in the world, we must not be of the world. Our secular society frequently makes laws that contradict our faith. Thus, we must have an understanding that our life in the world should never overwhelm our commitment to God and the Church.

Confession is not therapy — it is a sacrament, and our non-Christian leaders ought to respect our religion and our way of life with the same sense of tolerance that they demand from us. We will not reverse 2,000 years of tradition and history for the sake of these offensive and impious laws. Likewise, we will not endorse a government that steps upon our religious freedom.