US States Consider Challenging the Seal of Confession | EWTN News Nightly

About this sermon

At least 2 US states are considering a challenge to the seal of Confession. Lawmakers in Delaware and Vermont are pushing for an end to legal protections for priests who learn about sexual abuse or child neglect in the confessional, in an effort to force compliance with mandatory abuse reporting laws. The Church teaches that the Seal of Confession, which forbids a priest from disclosing what he hears is a fundamental and non-negotiable tenet of the faith. Bishop Christopher Coyne of the Diocese of Burlington, Vermont, joins to walk us through this and why these states are challenging a basic Catholic precept. He discusses what is at stake for his priests. The said goal of the proposal is to protect children and hold criminals accountable for their crimes. Bishop Coyne tells us what he has to say to that. There is also the argument that this measure is a violation of the First Amendment. Bishop Coyne shares how he sees this and whether he thinks it crosses a legal line. The bishop explains Catholic teaching on this matter and how it would be impossible for a Catholic priest to meet this requirement because of the Seal of Confession. EWTN News Nightly provides the latest news and analysis from a Catholic perspective. Join host Tracy Sabol, our Capitol Hill, White House and Rome Correspondents, as well as many other diverse guests daily, to get the latest from the U.S. and the Vatican on topics regarding our Catholic faith and interests. ------------- EWTN News Nightly airs on EWTN weekdays at 6pm & 9pm ET. ------------ Don't miss an episode of EWTN New Nightly. Get updates here: https://www.ewtn.com/tv/shows/ewtn-news-nightly ------------- Sign up today to receive the EWTN News Nightly newsletter: https://www.ewtn.com/enn ------------- Follow EWTN News Nightly on Social Media: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ewtnnewsnightly Twitter: https://twitter.com/EWTNNewsNightly Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ewtnnewsnightly/ ------------- Subscribe to EWTN YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/user/EWTN ------------- You can support the EWTN News mission: https://bit.ly/3qDR1qf