Should this bill be passed?
A group of Democratic lawmakers in Montana has proposed a bill that would require Catholic priests to report confessions related to serious crimes, including abuse, to authorities, challenging the church’s traditional practice of keeping confessions confidential. Senate Bill 139, introduced by Democratic Senators Mary Dunwell and Sara Novak, aims to remove the clergy exemption from mandatory reporting laws in cases of child abuse and neglect.
Under current Montana law, professionals such as teachers, doctors, and law enforcement officers are required to report suspected child abuse or neglect. The proposed bill seeks to extend this requirement to clergy, specifically targeting confessions involving admissions of criminal behavior, with a particular focus on cases of abuse. SB 139 would eliminate the legal protection that exempts priests from reporting confidential communications required by canon law or church doctrine.
If passed, clergy members who fail to report such confessions could face criminal penalties, including potential imprisonment. The proposal has generated significant controversy due to its conflict with Catholic Church doctrine, which maintains the “sacramental seal” of confession as inviolable. According to Canon Law, priests are forbidden from disclosing anything learned during confession under any circumstances.
Catholic priest and blogger Fr. Matthew P. Schneider warned that the bill could lead to “innocent priests being jailed” or the law being overturned by higher courts. He emphasized that the Catholic Church views confession as a sacrament in which priests act as representatives of Christ, making it a central part of the faith that cannot be compromised. Schneider also suggested that in the unlikely event the law passes, it could result in priests being imprisoned or even martyred for refusing to break the seal of confession.
This is not the first time such a bill has been introduced. A similar proposal in Washington state was defeated in early 2023 after initially passing in the state Senate, highlighting the ongoing debate over balancing mandatory reporting laws with religious freedom.
Yes, it should be passed. If you go to a confessional, you repent, but that doesn’t mean that you are clean of the crime. You should still turn yourself in. The confession is only to God, not authorities.