A federal judge has blocked a Washington state law that would have forced Catholic priests to report child abuse learned during confession.

According to Washington Examiner, Judge David Estudillo issued a preliminary injunction Friday, halting a controversial statute that religious leaders and the federal government said infringed on priests' constitutional rights.

Senate Bill 5375, signed into law by Gov. Bob Ferguson in May, was set to take effect on July 27. The legislation sought to mandate all religious clergy to report suspected child abuse or neglect, including information discovered during sacramental confessions. Under Catholic doctrine, revealing anything spoken during confession can result in immediate excommunication.

Judge Estudillo granted the injunction after finding that the plaintiffs — Catholic bishops and the U.S. Department of Justice — were likely to win their case because the law violated the First Amendment's free exercise clause. Estudillo was appointed to the bench by President Joe Biden.

In his decision, Estudillo wrote, “There is no question that SB 5375 burdens Plaintiffs’ free exercise of religion,” adding that priests would be forced to “either comply with the requirements of their faith or violate the law.” Violating the statute could result in up to a year in jail and a $5,000 fine.

Justice Department steps into legal challenge

The U.S. Department of Justice joined the lawsuit in June through its Civil Rights Division. Officials argued that the law violated both the First and Fourteenth Amendments by forcing clergy to disclose matters communicated in confidence as part of a religious sacrament.

Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon stated that the department "will not sit idly by when states mount attacks on the free exercise of religion." This marked a rare intervention by the federal government in a state religious freedom case at the trial court level.

The case was brought by three Catholic leaders who oversee every diocese in the state: Archbishop Paul Etienne of Seattle, Bishop Thomas Daly of Spokane, and Bishop Joseph Tyson of Yakima. The court's injunction now shields all Catholic clergy in Washington state from enforcement of SB 5375.

State defends law as a child protection measure

Lawyers representing Washington state strongly opposed the injunction. They contended that the law was a vital tool for protecting vulnerable children from abuse and neglect. They also maintained that the statute “in no way entangles the State in internal church decisions.”

State attorneys further claimed that the public’s interest in safeguarding children outweighed what they described as a hypothetical danger of religious conflict. They urged the court to view the law as a neutral act of public welfare, not a restriction on religious practice.

If Washington wants to appeal the federal court’s decision, state officials must now seek review from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit. However, no immediate announcement has been made regarding whether the state plans to challenge the ruling.

Religious liberty advocates celebrate ruling

The decision has been hailed by religious organizations concerned about government overreach. Jean Hill, executive director of the Washington State Catholic Conference, said the order protects “a sacred space” centuries in the making.

“For centuries, Catholic faithful around the world have sought reconciliation with God through the sacrament of confession,” Hill said. “This ruling protects that sacred space and ensures that Washingtonians of all religious stripes can live out their beliefs in peace.”

Throughout the legislative process, Catholic bishops and other religious leaders warned that the bill would force them to choose between adhering to their faith and obeying the law. Their concerns were echoed in amicus briefs filed with the court by allied organizations.

The scope of the injunction extends statewide

Although the case was filed on behalf of three bishops, the injunction effectively applies to all Catholic priests operating under their jurisdiction in Washington. This statewide impact has caused concern among child welfare advocates who supported the law.

Supporters of SB 5375 had argued that no institution, including religious ones, should be immune from the obligation to report abuse. They viewed the confessional exemption as a blind spot that could allow abuse to persist unchecked.

The legislature passed SB 5375 earlier this year after renewed public debate over how religious settings handle allegations of child maltreatment. Lawmakers cited several national scandals involving clergy abuse in advancing the bill.

Next steps for the controversial statute

With the preliminary injunction in place, SB 5375 cannot be enforced against Catholic priests unless or until the federal court's decision is overturned on appeal. The timeline for such a challenge remains uncertain.

The broader battle over clergy reporting laws continues to unfold in courtrooms and state legislatures across the country. Washington's case is one of the first to address whether such laws can override long-held religious protections tied to confidential confession.

For now, the Friday ruling marks a meaningful pause in the implementation of SB 5375. As the appeal process develops, the case could become a significant marker in the national discussion over religious liberty and child protection.