In a last-minute twist, a California bill that would have required priests to break the sacramental seal of confession was shelved July 8 amid a grassroots campaign mounted by the state’s Catholics, members of other faith groups and religious liberty advocates from across the country.
‘Dangerous’ bill on seal of confession withdrawn before key hearing
Chilean bishops fear new measure would enforce breaking confession seal
Chilean bishops said that while they support legislation requiring priests and religious authorities to report crimes, they also fear that an update to the country’s current law would force clergy to break the sacramental seal of confession.