A group of Democrats in Montana introduced a bill that would require Catholic priests to disclose confessions related to serious crimes, challenging the church’s ancient tradition of maintaining the confidentiality of the confessional.
Two Democratic senators, Mary Dunwell and Sara Novak, were among the people who introduced the bill. The bill aims to compel priests to break the sacramental seal of confession—a foundational Catholic doctrine—in cases where the confessor admits to criminal activity, particularly involving abuse.
The bill proposes that if professionals like doctors, teachers, or law enforcement officials suspect a child is being abused or neglected, they must report it to the authorities immediately, following specific legal procedures. These reports help initiate an investigation, the results of which can be shared with relevant professionals involved in the child’s welfare.
URGENT:
Anti-Catholic bill (SB139) is going through the MT State Senate that would force priests to break the confessional seal and dissuade people from seeking forgiveness from God.If you live in Montana please reach out to oppose this bill, contact info below #mtpolpic.twitter.com/RwrNIQXkov
— Rep. Lukas Schubert (@LukasSchubertMT) January 19, 2025
Under this proposed law, failure to report such confessions could lead to imprisonment for the clergy involved and, if passed, might not withstand legal scrutiny given the precedent of protecting religious practices. The Catholic Church’s Canon Law strictly prohibits priests from revealing anything that they learn from penitents during confession. The doctrine is rooted in the belief that during confession the priest acts not as an individual but in the person of Christ, offering absolution to the penitent who is confessing sins directly to God.
The crucial role of confidentiality in confession allows individuals to admit their sins without fear of exposure, a practice deeply rooted in historical precedent. Saints such as John Nepomucene and Mateo Correa Magallanes are celebrated for their ultimate sacrifice, choosing death over betraying this sacred trust.
Legal precedents in the United States have generally supported the protection of the confessional seal and even an 1813 ruling by the Court of General Sessions in New York explicitly recognized a priest’s right to withhold confessionally disclosed information, even in court. This stance has been echoed in subsequent legal interpretations, often citing the First Amendment’s guarantee of religious freedom.
Republican Montana Rep. Lukas Schubert took to X, previously known as Twitter, to urge individuals to oppose the bill.
“Anti-Catholic bill (SB139) is going through the MT State Senate that would force priests to break the confessional seal and dissuade people from seeking forgiveness from God,” Schubert wrote.
(Featured Image Media Credit: Wikimedia Commons)
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