{"id":2532087,"date":"2026-01-09T16:18:02","date_gmt":"2026-01-09T21:18:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/arizona-bill-would-force-clergy-to-violate-seal-of-confession\/"},"modified":"2026-01-09T16:21:12","modified_gmt":"2026-01-09T21:21:12","slug":"arizona-bill-would-force-clergy-to-violate-seal-of-confession","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/arizona-bill-would-force-clergy-to-violate-seal-of-confession\/","title":{"rendered":"Arizona bill would force clergy to violate seal of confession"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">20<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Farizona-bill-would-force-clergy-to-violate-seal-of-confession%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2532087&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>An Arizona bill pre-filed by Democratic State Rep. stacey Travers (HB 2039) would require priests and pastors to report and testify about child abuse revealed during confession if they reasonably believe the abuse is ongoing, likely to continue, or poses a threat to other minors. Clergy who fail to report could face a Class 1 misdemeanor (up to six months jail) or, for certain offenses, a Class 6 felony (up to two years). Travers says the measure is intended to protect children, but Arizona Catholic leaders and other faith groups oppose it, citing the sacramental seal of confession and Catholic Canon Law, which can punish disclosure by excommunication. Supporters such as Secular AZ argue religious confidentiality should not override child-protection duties and liken clergy to other professionals who must report imminent harm. Travers acknowledged the bill likely won&#8217;t get a legislative hearing; a similar Washington State law passed in 2025 was later blocked in court and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/trump-says-he-will-probably-visit-us-mexico-border-soon\/\" title=\"Trump Says He Will \u2018Probably\u2019 Visit US-Mexico Border Soon\">prompted federal<\/a> and church legal action.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Arizona bill would force clergy to violate seal of confession<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_2468758\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p>(The Center Square) &ndash; A new <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/arizona\/\">Arizona<\/a> bill seeks to force priests and pastors to <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/religious-freedom\/\">break their seal of confession<\/a> if they learn about a case of <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/child-abuse-and-neglect\/\">child abuse<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>State House Minority Whip Stacey Travers, D-Gilbert, pre-filed&nbsp;<a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.azleg.gov\/legtext\/57leg\/2R\/bills\/HB2039P.pdf\">House Bill 2039<\/a>&nbsp;last month. The new legislative session starts Monday.<\/p>\n<div class=\"recommended-stories\">\n<h2>Recommended Stories<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/supreme-court\/4408609\/pair-supreme-court-cases-put-title-ix-future-in-balance\/\">A pair of Supreme Court cases put the future of Title IX in the balance<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/justice\/4411877\/minnesota-ice-shooting-ignites-debate-federal-officer-immunity\/\">Minnesota ICE shooting ignites debate over federal officer immunity<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/justice\/4411722\/anna-paulina-luna-tim-walz-keith-ellison-doj-prosecution-minnesota-fraud\/\">Luna refers Walz and Ellison to DOJ for criminal prosecution over Minnesota fraud<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>Under the legislation, priests and pastors would be forced to report child abuse if they have a reasonable suspicion &ldquo;to believe that the abuse is ongoing, will continue or may be a threat to other minors.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>HB 2039 would also require priests or pastors to testify about confessions in court about <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/fact-check-is-laurance-rockefeller-related-to-john-podesta-and-chester-bennington\/\" title=\"FACT CHECK: Is Laurance Rockefeller Related To John Podesta And Chester Bennington?\">child abuse cases<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>If clergy fails to report an incident of child abuse heard in confession, they could be charged with a&nbsp;<a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.azleg.gov\/ars\/13\/00707.htm\">Class 1 misdemeanor<\/a>, which could land them in jail for up to six months.<\/p>\n<p>Priests and pastors could also be charged with a<a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.azleg.gov\/ars\/13\/00702.htm\">&nbsp;Class 6 felony<\/a>&nbsp;if they failed to report a reportable offense. If convicted, they could face up to two years in prison.<\/p>\n<p>Travers told The Center Square she introduced this bill to &ldquo;create some guardrails and protections for children that had been associated with any clergy.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;There needs to be something to protect children &ndash; if you know who the abuser is and you understand there to be multiple instances of that abuse,&rdquo; she said. &ldquo;In my mind, the welfare of the child should always take precedence.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>According to a current<a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.azleg.gov\/ars\/13\/03620.htm\">&nbsp;Arizona law<\/a>, priests and pastors are mandatory reporters of child abuse if they learn about it outside of the confessional setting.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Arizona Catholic leaders oppose the bill, Travers said.<\/p>\n<p>The legislator said she thinks many of these &ldquo;religious institutions are more concerned about their liability than they are about the faithfulness of the search for absolution.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>She accused the Catholic Church of trying to hide &ldquo;behind the sanctity of the confessional.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>According to&nbsp;<a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.vatican.va\/archive\/cod-iuris-canonici\/eng\/documents\/cic_lib4-cann959-997_en.html\">Catholic Canon Law<\/a>, priests are not allowed to disclose anything they hear in confessions. If they do, they can be excommunicated.<\/p>\n<p>The Center Square contacted the Roman Catholic Diocese of Phoenix and the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops for comment, but did not receive a response before press time.<\/p>\n<p>The Roman Catholic Diocese of Tucson told The Center Square that it was unable to comment because it is in a &ldquo;transition&rdquo; stage with a new bishop.<\/p>\n<p>Besides Catholicism, Eastern Orthodox, certain Protestant churches and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints also recognize some type of seal of confession.<\/p>\n<p>Regarding concerns about <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/persecution-fears-rise-as-biden-backs-away-from-religious-freedom-abroad\/\" title=\"Persecution Fears Rise as Biden Backs Away From Religious Freedom Abroad\">protecting religious freedoms<\/a>, Travers said nothing should hinder protections of children.<\/p>\n<p>Even though she introduced the bill, Travers told The Center Square that she doesn&rsquo;t think it will be heard by the Legislature. She said she has introduced the bill previously, but didn&rsquo;t get a hearing.<\/p>\n<p>Travers said this bill was first introduced in 2019 by former state Sen. Victoria Steele, D-Tucson.<\/p>\n<p>Like Travers, Jeanne Casteen, the executive director of Secular AZ, a nonprofit that advocates for the separation of church and state, told The Center Square she didn&rsquo;t think this bill would get a hearing.<\/p>\n<p>Casteen said fewer than 1% of bills proposed by Democrats are heard in the Republican-controlled Arizona Legislature.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>The executive director said she did not perceive why the sacrament of confession needs to be protected at the expense of children. &ldquo;I don&rsquo;t understand why that sacrament is more important than [the] protection of children.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Dianne Post, Secular AZ&rsquo;s legal director, said the nonprofit supports the bill and believes it is not unconstitutional.<\/p>\n<p>Post, a lawyer, said other professions, such as attorneys and psychologists, have confidentiality rules like those of priests and pastors, but there is a difference between them.<\/p>\n<p>Lawyers have to report someone who is &ldquo;going to do a future crime,&rdquo; and psychologists need to report someone if there&rsquo;s &ldquo;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/california-judges-ruling-on-warrantless-migrant-arrests-sows-confusion\/\" title=\"California judge\u2019s ruling on warrantless migrant arrests sows confusion\">reasonable suspicion&#038;rdquo<\/a>; a person &ldquo;is going to commit a crime in the future and harm someone else,&rdquo; Post noted.<\/p>\n<p>She told The Center Square the same rules should apply to religions.<\/p>\n<p>In the past, other states have attempted to break the seal of confession. Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson, who is Catholic, signed a bill into law in May 2025 that would force priests and pastors to break the seal of confession to report child abuse.<\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/4408482\/bill-holds-online-platforms-accountable-for-child-trafficking\/\"><strong>BILL HOLDS ONLINE PLATFORMS ACCOUNTABLE FOR CHILD TRAFFICKING<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Catholic leaders in Washington state&nbsp;<a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/becketnewsite.s3.amazonaws.com\/20250606092558\/Etienne-v.-Ferguson-PI.pdf\">sued&nbsp;<\/a>a month later over the law after Ferguson signed&nbsp;<a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/app.leg.wa.gov\/billsummary\/?BillNumber=5375&amp;Year=2025&amp;Initiative=false\">Senate Bill 5375<\/a>. The Department of Justice also&nbsp;<a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.thecentersquare.com\/washington\/article_c7da9641-0494-40ff-9414-5c8fa589547c.html\">intervened&nbsp;<\/a>in the lawsuit. &nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>In July, a <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >federal judge ultimately&#038;nbsp<\/a>;<a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.thecentersquare.com\/washington\/article_349afee9-15a0-4cc7-8303-7e92add125a0.html\">blocked&nbsp;<\/a>this new law from taking effect. Attorney General Nick Brown, three months later,&nbsp;<a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.thecentersquare.com\/washington\/article_30376116-ce9b-4efc-9832-a082d4d8cd5f.html\">came to an agreement<\/a>&nbsp;with the Catholic Church in Washington state to protect the seal of confession.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Arizona bill forces clergy to break confessional seal<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2869,"featured_media":2532088,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/518919f79cdd9f798861d2921867acba.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[546,33651,538],"tags":[70503,70506,70505,32274,70504],"class_list":["post-2532087","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-federalist","category-the-western-journal","category-washington-examiner","tag-arizona-legislation","tag-church-state-separation","tag-clergy-confidentiality","tag-religious-freedom","tag-seal-of-confession"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/518919f79cdd9f798861d2921867acba.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2532087","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2869"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2532087"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2532087\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2532091,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2532087\/revisions\/2532091"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2532088"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2532087"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2532087"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2532087"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}