Andrew Rivas, executive director of the California Catholic Conference, issued the following statement today regarding amendments to SB 360, which threatened to undermine the seal of confession:
“Yesterday, the Senate Appropriations Committee passed SB 360 but only after a public statement from the Committee Chair that they are adding amendments to the bill that will preserve the sacramental seal of confession. We are waiting to review the amendment language, but on its face, this appears to be a victory for child safety, religious freedom, and common sense. The Catholic Bishops support mandatory reporting and agree with strengthening reporting requirements for child sexual abuse. The Catholic community has raised their concern about State’s intrusion into the sacramental seal of the confessional and will continue to protect this longstanding penitential tradition. We eagerly await to review the committee amendments once they become public.”