WE ARE PAVING THE WAY FOR AN ABUSE-FREE CHURCH
Washington Appeals Court Orders Seattle Archdiocese to Turn Over Abuse Records
A Washington appeals court ruled Monday that the state Attorney General’s Office can enforce subpoenas seeking records from the Seattle Archdiocese as part of an investigation into whether church funds were used to conceal sexual abuse by clergy members.
According to reporting by The Seattle Times and reporter Caitlyn Freeman, the investigation was launched in May 2024 by then–Attorney General Bob Ferguson. The inquiry is examining whether reforms announced by the Catholic Church are being implemented and whether they are effective.
The Archdiocese had declined to fully comply with subpoenas, arguing the requests were overly broad. A King County Superior Court judge previously ruled the attorney general could not compel the church to produce the documents.
The Washington Court of Appeals overturned that decision, ruling the attorney general’s subpoena is supported by state law. However, the court said the scope of records requested may need to be narrowed to avoid infringing on religious freedom protections.
Seattle Archbishop Paul D. Etienne said the church remains willing to work with investigators while protecting the privacy of abuse survivors.
Ferguson called the ruling “an important win for transparency” and urged church leaders to cooperate with the investigation.
Read the full article at The Seattle Times:
https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/seattle-archdiocese-must-hand-over-sex-abuse-records-wa-court-rules/
Washington Governor Ferguson
Signs Senate Bill 5375 into Law
On Friday, May 2nd, Governor Ferguson signed Senate Bill 5375 into law. It will take effect on July 27th. SB 5375 adds all members of the clergy as mandated reporters of child abuse and neglect. Washington State joins New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Guam, Texas, West Virginia, North Carolina and Oklahoma in not allowing clergy-penitent privilege as ground for failing to report child abuse.
Currently, the Department of Justice has opened an investigation into the constitutional merits of this bill. We believe that SB 5375 is fair, that it is sadly necessary, and that it will hold merit. SB 5375 is about protecting our children. Child abuse cannot be stopped if it cannot be discovered. It will be up to Attorney General Brown to defend 5375 and reply to the Department of Justice on Washingtonian’s behalf.
who we are
CAP is a Washington State-based initiative of Ending Clergy Abuse, a global human rights organization dedicated to ending the Church’s structural mechanisms that enable abuse. We fight for survivors because we love our Church, and we are committed to cultivating an environment within the Catholic Church prioritizing safety, well-being, and dignity for all.
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fighting for survivors
The Catholic Accountability Project (CAP) is dedicated to advocating for justice for victims of clergy sexual abuse and holding perpetrators and those who enabled them responsible for their actions.