The Second Term of Donald J. Trump as President of the United States of America

1765836940558.png

The query "trump church reporting child abuse" refers to the Trump administration's Department of Justice (DOJ) intervening in a 2025 Washington state law (Senate Bill 5375) that mandates clergy, including priests, report child abuse or neglect, even if learned in confession, to the authorities. The DOJ argued this law violated the First Amendment by forcing clergy to choose between state law and their religious vows (breaking the seal of confession means automatic excommunication for Catholic priests). A federal judge temporarily blocked the confession reporting requirement, siding with Catholic bishops who sued, while the DOJ's investigation into the law continued, highlighting a major conflict between religious freedom and child protection.
 
"The query "trump church reporting child abuse" refers to the Trump administration's Department of Justice (DOJ) intervening in a 2025 Washington state law (Senate Bill 5375) that mandates clergy, including priests, report child abuse or neglect, even if learned in confession, to the authorities. The DOJ argued this law violated the First Amendment by forcing clergy to choose between state law and their religious vows (breaking the seal of confession means automatic excommunication for Catholic priests). A federal judge temporarily blocked the confession reporting requirement, siding with Catholic bishops who sued, while the DOJ's investigation into the law continued, highlighting a major conflict between religious freedom and child protection." #2,044
As a general principle I don't endorse shielding murderers, rapists, or child molesters from the legal consequences they have earned. BUT !
I agree with the sanctity of the confessional. Doesn't mean I like it. But "freedom of religion ...".

The Church shielding felons may seem the bottom of the barrel. It's not.
"Legal ethics" includes:
if an attorney's client in private and in confidence confesses to a murder an innocent man is serving life sentence for, legal ethics reportedly prevent that attorney from freeing the innocent man. Details? Exceptions? Qualifications?

So much for "legal ethics". "The Devil's in the details."
 
Back
Top