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Seal of Confession

The entrance of the Arizona Supreme Court is pictured in Phoenix April 11, 2024. Just shy of two weeks after a unanimous ruling on clergy-penitent privilege, the high court issued another unanimous decision Aug. 12, 2026, setting precedent for what qualifies as "confession," again creating legal implications for the Catholic Church's confessional seal. (OSV News photo/Bob Roller)

Second ruling in two weeks: Arizona court narrows what counts as confession

Tony Gutierrez|Aug 20, 2026|4 Min Read

A confessional is seen in a file photo. A unanimous July 30, 2026, decision by Arizona's Supreme Court in a case involving the Church of Latter-day Saints upheld a broad definition of clergy-penitent privilege. The Catholic dioceses of Arizona -- Phoenix, Tucson and Gallup, New Mexico (which includes parts of Arizona) -- filed a friend-of-the-court brief in support of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, along with other groups. (OSV News photo/Nancy Phelan Wiechec)

Church doctrine, not courts, define confession says Arizona Supreme Court

Tony Gutierrez|Aug 12, 2026|6 Min Read

Confession

Washington seal of confession law blocked by federal court

Daniel Payne|Jul 18, 2025|3 Min Read

Confession

Justice Department sues Washington state over law forcing priests to break confession seal

Catholic News Agency|Jun 23, 2025|3 Min Read

Washington

WA bishops ask court to block mandatory reporter law without Catholic confession protections

Kate Scanlon|Jun 6, 2025|4 Min Read

The Washington Capitol is pictured in Olympia April 11, 2020. Washington state's Catholic bishops filed a lawsuit May 29, 2025, over a new law that requires clergy to report child abuse or neglect but provides no exceptions for clergy-penitent privilege. (OSV News photo/Jason Redmond, Reuters)

WA bishops sue over mandatory reporter law's lack of Catholic confession protections

Kate Scanlon|May 29, 2025|5 Min Read

A confessional is seen in a file photo at the Memorial Church of the Holy Sepulcher on the grounds of the Franciscan Monastery of the Holy Land in Washington. (OSV News photo/Nancy Phelan Wiechec)

Washington state makes clergy mandatory reporters without exemption for confession

Kate Scanlon|May 3, 2025|4 Min Read

The Washington Capitol is pictured in Olympia April 11, 2020. Legislation that would require clergy to report child abuse or neglect in Washington state has been sent to Democratic Gov. Bob Ferguson for his signature. Some Catholics argue if it becomes law, it will force priests to break the seal of confession. (OSV News photo/Jason Redmond, Reuters)

Washington state bill requiring clergy to report child abuse heads to governor's desk

Kate Scanlon|Apr 16, 2025|3 Min Read

A confessional is seen in a file photo at the Memorial Church of the Holy Sepulcher on the grounds of the Franciscan Monastery of the Holy Land in Washington. (OSV News photo/Nancy Phelan Wiechec)

Canon, civil law collide on seal of confession, says expert

Gina Christian|Jan 28, 2025|5 Min Read

(Shutterstock via CNA)

Montana bill could require priests to break seal of confession

Kate Quiñones|Jan 22, 2025|3 Min Read

Confession

Washington Legislature advances state mandatory reporting bill that lacks confession exception

Kate Scanlon|Apr 14, 2023|3 Min Read

Confession

Diocese of Wilmington insists that confessional secrecy is ‘non-negotiable’

John Lavenburg|Mar 8, 2023|3 Min Read

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