A federal court has blocked a new Washington State law that would have required Catholic priests to report abuse or neglect disclosed during confession, the sacred practice where individuals confess their sins to a priest to receive forgiveness.

The law which was set to take effect July 27 included penalties of up to 364 days in jail, a $5,000 fine and potential civil liability for priests who failed to comply with the state’s reporting policies.

The law was temporarily suspended after a hearing on July 14 and an order issued July 18 by district Judge David Estudillo.

The ruling stated that the new law violated plaintiffs’ free exercise of religion. Citing the landmark case Wisconsin v. Yoder, it argued that priests would be forced to choose between violating their faith or state la

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