North Dakota Bill Would Compel Priests to Violate Confessional Seal

The Pillar ^ | 1/12/21 | Ed Condon

[marshmallow]

North Dakota lawmakers have introduced a bill that would require priests to violate the seal of confession or face jail time in the state. The measure would remove the ministerial exception from mandatory reporting laws related to child abuse, requiring priests to report knowledge or suspicion of abuse even if it arose from the context of sacramental confession.

Senate Bill No. 2180, published on Jan. 12, would amend the state’s Century Code relating to mandatory reporting. It was introduced by state senators Judy Lee (R), Kathy Hogan (D), and Curt Kreun (R).

Under the current law, “a member of the clergy having knowledge of or reasonable cause to suspect a child is abused or neglected, or has died as a result of abuse or neglect, shall report the circumstances to the department if the knowledge or suspicion is derived from information received by that individual in that individual's official or professional capacity.”

A member of the clergy “is not required to report such circumstances if the knowledge or suspicion is derived from information received in the capacity of spiritual adviser,” a category that includes sacramental confession.

But SB 2180 would delete this exception, making it a failure to report suspected abuse or neglect, even if learned in the confessional, punishable by up to 30 days in prison and/or a fine of $1,500.

[Joe 6-pack]

"Thinking about it now, it seems to me like this would be requiring someone to break the seal of their own confession."

I certainly can't cite the details of Canon Law, but I don't think the individual doing the confessing is bound by any seal. If it is, I'm in trouble as I've personally apologized to people I've slighted or offended after confessing my sins to a priest.

[Ransomed]

I just searched for ‘requiring a person to turn himself in for absolution.’ I guess they can urge or recommend you to do it voluntarily but can’t make absolution conditional to turning yourself in to the authorities. I guess the logic is it forces someone to divulge their confession and this would in turn discourage people from seeking confession.

FReegards

[trebb]

I’m on the side of the Christians - I believe in Christ more than I believe in mortals who think they can judge a man’s heart as effectively as Jesus can.
I left the Catholic Church because the Church was teaching more about the Church than about Jesus.

[Campion]

If you're really on the side of the Christians, then you should oppose the State persecuting Christians of any variety, whether you agree with their theology or not. I would not support the State getting between you and your clergyman, not for one second.

Of course, if you think the First Amendment was a bad idea, or only applies to people who think like you do, then ...

[trebb]

I guess you and I have different ideas of what persecution is.
But, we’re both evidently secure in our own beliefs and we have stated them to each other so have a good one.