Bishop Daly: a statement regarding SB 5280

A message to the faithful of eastern Washington,

On Monday of this week, the Washington State Senate rejected a House amendment to bill number SB5280 which intends to force priests to violate the Seal of Confession if child abuse is revealed within the celebration of the sacrament. I am particularly grateful for the leadership of Senator Mike Padden, Senator Judy Warnick, and Senator Phil Fortunato on this matter. The legislature should strive to make good law which is able to be followed and enforced. Senators Padden, Warnick, and Fortunato, as well as several of their colleagues, are very aware of this important duty.

The State of Washington is not the first governing body to attempt to criminalize our commitment to keep the Seal of Confession sacred. History is replete with examples of kings, queens, dictators, potentates, and legislators who have attempted to have the seal of confession violated through law, coercion, or fiat. All have failed.

I want to assure you that your shepherds, bishop and priests, are committed to keeping the seal of confession – even to the point of going to jail. The Sacrament of Penance is sacred and will remain that way in the Diocese of Spokane.

For those legislators who question our commitment to the safety of your children, simply speak with any mom who volunteers with a parish youth group, any Catholic school teacher, any dad who coaches a parochial school basketball team or any priest, deacon or seminarian, and you will learn first-hand about our solid protocols and procedures. The Diocese of Spokane maintains an entire department at the Chancery, the Office of Child and Youth protection, staffed by professional laypeople. We have a zero-tolerance policy regarding child sexual abuse. Our goal is do everything within our power to keep your children safe while we attempt to lead them to know and love Jesus Christ who commanded, “let the children come to me and do not hinder them.”

As the legislative process regarding this matter continues to unfold, I intend on keeping you informed and updated. An important element to the greatness of America is our Constitutional commitment to religious freedom. Please pray that our legislators will create sound law which reflects this foundational principle of our country.

Asking for the prayers of Our Lady of Lourdes, I remain,

In Christ,

Most Reverend Thomas A. Daly

Bishop of Spokane, Washington