Bill would make clergy report abuse revealed in confessions

A California lawmaker said the state should require clergy members to report suspected child abuse or neglect even if they learn of it during confession.

Clergy members are among a list of more than 40 "mandated reporters," meaning they are required under state law to report suspected abuse. But that doesn't apply if they learn about something during a private communication such as confession, a sacrosanct practice in the Catholic Church.

A bill by Democratic Sen. Jerry Hill would eliminate that exemption.

He said in a statement "the law should apply equally to all professionals who have been designated as mandated reporters of these crimes - with no exceptions, period. The exemption for clergy only protects the abuser and places children at further risk."

Clergy includes priests and ministers as well as rabbis or other religious practitioners. Under state law, clergy can assert privilege over a "penitential communication," which is a statement made in confidence that the clergy must keep secret based on church doctrine.

The California Catholic Conference says it supports clergy's role as mandated reporters but opposes expanding that to cover confession.