BISMARCK — A bill just introduced at the North Dakota statehouse would force clergy to share some information learned during confession or other private religion conversations. Under the new bill, if they refuse they could end up in jail.
That bill in the senate would force Catholic priests to go against the seal of confession by forcing them to call police when people report child abuse to them.
Under state law, clergy are considered mandatory reporters of suspected crimes. However, there is an exception. Pastors and priests are not required to report information they learn as a spiritual advisor.
Senator Judy Lee of West Fargo wants to change that with bill 2180. The bill would threaten a priest or pastor to 30 days in jail if they refuse to report suspected abuse.
"I have a hard time thinking it's ethical, or moral or even religious. I don't care if it's a Shaman, a Rabbi, a priest or a pastor or whoever it might be, for them not to recognize, particularly that a child might be abused and not report it," Lee said.
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She says this is not about arresting the offender, but getting that child help. Catholic critics of the bill say priests often recommend that an abuser or victims gets help when they report such cases during confession. They also feel it would be counterproductive and victims would be scared to speak up for help.
"Do you cross this line which violates first amendment issues, expectation of privacy parishioners have and be counterproductive," said North Dakota Catholic Conference executive director Christopher Dodson.
The Catholic League said no other state in the country requires priests to divulge information during confession. They said Utah and California tried it last year, but it got shut down.
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