By James Hirsen, NY Times Bestselling Author, International Business Attorney, News Analyst & Cultural Commentator
The
State of Washington recently passed a law that requires religious clergy to
report information to authorities, even when the information is obtained during
the centuries-old rite of Confession. Although there are other legal
ramifications to the new law, of particular significance is the reporting of
information involving the sexual abuse of a child that is obtained during the
sacramental rite. Under the new legislation, clergy are required under penalty
of law to report to authorities information that is acquired within the sacred
walls of a confessional. In my legal assessment,
this new law is unconstitutional, discriminatory, and selective in that it
exempts from compelled testimony an aunt or uncle, an Alcoholics Anonymous (AA)
sponsor, a union representative, and an extensive list of others receiving confidential
communication. Catholic priests, on the other hand, are left exposed to be
subpoenaed. [more...]
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