华盛顿州授权神职人员举报虐待儿童事件, 引发与天主教会在宗教自由问题上的冲突。 Washington state mandates clergy report child abuse, sparking conflict with the Catholic Church over religious freedom.

华盛顿州的新法律, 参议院第5375号法案, 由总督Bob Ferguson签署, 要求神职人员报告虐待儿童事件, Washington state's new law, Senate Bill 5375, signed by Governor Bob Ferguson, requires clergy to report child abuse, even if disclosed during confession, making them mandatory reporters like medical and school personnel. 天主教会警告说,任何遵守法律的牧师都将面临远征,导致法律和宗教僵局。 The Catholic Church warns that any priest complying with the law will face excommunication, leading to a legal and religious standoff. 法律于7月生效, 但美国司法部正在调查其合宪性, 批评者认为它侵犯了宗教自由。 The law takes effect in July, but the U.S. Justice Department is investigating its constitutionality, with critics arguing it violates religious freedom.