As our own Amy Curtis reported last week, Washington State launched an attack on Catholics when Gov. Bob Ferguson signed a bill forcing priests to break the Seal of Confession. As Life Site News reported:
SB 5375 is the latest attempt by Washington state Sen. Noel Frame to force Catholic priests to break the Seal of Confession and reveal what they hear in the confessional – or go to jail. The bill explicitly singles out priests, removing their “privileged communication” exception, while allowing it for professionals who may hear of abuse.
Frame previously cited the Catholic Church’s support for penitential secrecy in her decision to no longer practice Catholicism.
This story flew under the radar while the Left was frothing over a meme of President Donald Trump as the new pope. This is the real story, though; they're trying to send priests to jail.
Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights Harmeet K. Dhillon took notice and announced that the Justice Department would be opening a First Amendment investigation into the law.
Washington’s new law forces priests to choose between violating their faith or breaking the law. That’s unconstitutional. The @CivilRights Division has opened an investigation into SB 5375’s apparent attack on the First Amendment and religious liberty. We will not look away. https://t.co/t7Xt6Prpqo
— Harmeet K. Dhillon (@HarmeetKDhillon) May 5, 2025
Have we mentioned she's awesome?
Good, and thank you.
— Sean Ross Callaghan (@seanrcallaghan) May 6, 2025
Please also note that the seal of the confessional is necessary for lay Catholics' sincere practice of the Catholic faith, too—not just the priests'.
I voted for this.
— Jay Town (@JayTownAlabama) May 6, 2025
Thank you for highlighting these issues that were swept under the rug by the prior administration.
— Diane 🇺🇸 America First (@Lowcountry1Girl) May 6, 2025
By "devout Catholic" Joe Biden who attended a black church.
It would appear you're going to be very busy. Thank you, Harmeet.
— Mitch LaKind (@MonumentsMayor) May 6, 2025
This is what should be happening at DOJ. Thank you HKD.
— Coach Ric (@JolricRic) May 5, 2025
Good. This shouldn't happen in the USA.
— Philo Publius Americanus (@Rog973521) May 6, 2025
I knew from the first time I heard that you had been nominated for this job, that you were the perfect pick. I was right.
— Sammie P (@sam212937) May 6, 2025
There had been a push to make her RNC chair, but this is much better. Did we mention that about half of the lawyers in the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division resigned after Dhillon ordered her team to focus on combating anti-Semitism, men's participation in women's sports, and woke ideology? So much winning! The trash took itself out.
Thank you!
— Linicy (@Linicy1) May 5, 2025
Washington State knows this is unconstitutional but passed it anyway.
You are one of the few in whom confidence and optimism were not misplaced. Thank you.
— Anton Phibes (@AntonPhibes3) May 6, 2025
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