Bishop Daly: a statement regarding SB 5375, HB 1211

Written By Most Reverend Thomas A. Daly

A message to the faithful of eastern Washington,

This week, state lawmakers are once again attempting to enact laws, Senate Bill 5375 and House Bill 1211, which seek to force priests to violate the Seal of Confession if child abuse is revealed within the celebration of the sacrament. In light of this, I wish to reiterate my previous statement regarding this matter:

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.

Sen. Noel Frame, D-Seattle, introduced Senate Bill 5375 and Rep. Amy Walen, D-Kirkland, introduced House  Bill 1211. SB 5375 will be heard in an executive session to move it to full debate on Feb 5. HB 1211 will get its first hearing tomorrow, Tuesday, February 4. I strongly encourage the Catholic faithful of eastern Washington to call our state representatives and respectfully ask them to vote against this measure. Please see the following link for a list of 2025-2026 members of the legislature: app.leg.wa.gov/Rosters

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

In Christ,

Most Reverend Thomas A. Daly

Bishop of Spokane, Washington

Most Reverend Thomas A. Daly

Thomas Daly was born April 30, 1960, in San Francisco. He earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of San Francisco in 1982; a master of divinity from St. Patrick Seminary in Menlo Park, California, in 1987; and a master of education degree from Boston College in 1996. He was ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of San Francisco in 1987. 

Pope Benedict XVI named him auxiliary bishop of the Diocese of San Jose on March 16, 2011. He was ordained on May 25, 2011.

Pope Francis named him the seventh Bishop of Spokane on March 12, 2015.  Bishop Daly was installed on May 20, 2015 in the Cathedral of Our Lady of Lourdes in Spokane.  

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