Imagine going to confession, only to discover that what you whisper through that screen might be reported to the authorities. That's the reality Catholic priests and penitents now face in Washington State, which recently passed legislation requiring priests to report confessions of child abuse to police.

In this episode, Father Wolf examines Washington State's recently passed bill requiring priests to report confessions of child abuse to authorities, explaining why this law threatens an essential Catholic sacrament and represents government overreach into religious practice.

• The seal of confession is absolute, with priests who violate it facing automatic excommunication 
• Human beings have a universal desire to confess and be known, as evidenced by phenomena from podcasts to support groups
• Confession provides a protected space allowing people to reveal their deepest truths without fear of exposure
• The Washington law is practically unenforceable and won't effectively address child abuse
• The legislation represents a clash between the Catholic understanding of forgiveness and the state's belief that certain sins are unforgivable
• When government attempts to regulate sacramental practice, it overreaches its legitimate authority
• No priest will comply with this law, as it contradicts fundamental promises made at ordination

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Father Don Wolf is a priest of the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City. Living Catholic also broadcasts on Oklahoma Catholic Radio several times per week, with new episodes airing every Sunday.