National Catholic Register News
https://www.ncregister.com/tag/seal-of-confession
Vatican News noted that the bishops’ conference statement described Darmanin’s request as an “invitation,” rather than a “summons,” as it has been widely described in media reports.
Both of North Dakota’s bishops had previously written letters to Catholics saying that the state’s bill violated religious freedom.
Multiple priests wrote to tell the committee that they would not violate the seal of confession, and numerous priests pointed out that the law would be unenforceable, as confessions are usually made anonymously.
Archbishop Coleridge has said the law would make priests “less a servant of God than an agent of the state” and raise “major questions about religious freedom.”
Tens of thousands of Catholics in the Golden State opposed the bill, amid expression-of-religion concerns.
Through a document approved by Pope Francis, the Vatican strongly expressed its opposition to legislation in California, Australia and elsewhere that would compel priests to break the seal.
In response to pending bill requiring Catholic priests to report child sex abuse learned about through the sacrament, priests insist on upholding sacred trust.
This legislation is not the first attempt to compel priests to violate the sacramental seal.
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