On America’s Independence Day—a day celebrating the nation’s commitment to freedom—Bishop Robert Barron is defending one of the Catholic Church’s most sacred traditions: the seal of confession.
He’s asking a federal court in Washington state to strike down a controversial new law that, if enforced, could force priests to break the seal of confession or face jail time.
Priests Could Be Punished for Protecting Confessional Secrets
At the heart of the legal battle is a mandatory reporting law passed in Washington that requires Catholic priests to report child abuse, even if they only learn about it during a confession.
If they don’t, they could face criminal charges and fines.
For Catholics, this is no small matter—breaking the seal of confession goes against centuries of deeply held belief and practice.
The bishops of Washington State already filed a lawsuit against the law back in May, arguing that it violates religious freedom.
Now, Bishop Barron is backing that challenge with an amicus brief—a formal document submitted to court offering additional insight and support for the case.
Why This Matters to the Church
Bishop Barron, who leads the Winona-Rochester diocese and serves on the White House Religious Liberty Commission, emphasized in his filing that the seal of confession is not just a ritual, but a theological truth that’s central to Catholic life.
He explained that when a Catholic goes to confession, they believe they are speaking directly to God through the priest.
That connection, he argues, must remain untouchable.
“Few religious practices are more misunderstood than the sacred seal of Confession,” Barron wrote.
He made the case that no government policy—no matter how well-intentioned—should interfere with a person seeking forgiveness and spiritual healing in what Catholics believe is a direct encounter with the divine.
Support From Across the Religious Spectrum
It’s not just Catholic bishops raising concerns.
The Department of Justice and a coalition of Orthodox churches have also filed lawsuits opposing the law.
They argue it specifically targets Catholic clergy and infringes on First Amendment protections around religious freedom.
In addition, the Confraternity of Catholic Clergy, which represents over 500 priests and deacons across the U.S., Australia, and the U.K., recently released a statement condemning the Washington law.
They insist that child protection can and should be pursued—but not at the cost of violating religious liberty.
A Bigger Conversation Around Faith and Law
This case is just one example of a broader debate: How should governments balance religious freedom with public safety? Bishop Barron and others aren’t denying the need to protect children—in fact, they support it.
But they firmly believe that forcing priests to betray confession is not the solution.
For Catholics, the confessional is sacred ground.
And for Bishop Barron, any law that tries to breach that boundary doesn’t just violate church teaching—it threatens the very idea of freedom of religion that Americans celebrate on the Fourth of July.