Clergy Confession and Child Abuse Law | Tucson News

Arizona’s Supreme Court just sided with religious freedom, ruling clergy don’t have to report child abuse heard in confession — even if it’s illegal — as long as silence is part of their faith. The case, involving the LDS Church and two bishops, stems from a 2017 lawsuit after a man confessed to abusing his kids, was excommunicated, and died before trial — while his victims sued, claiming the church violated mandatory reporting laws. The court dismissed the case, citing First Amendment protections and saying courts can’t second-guess how religious leaders interpret their faith. This ruling deepens the national debate over balancing religious liberty with child protection. Listen in comfort:Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/36c6eaf1bfcf5c39