New Hampshire Bill Proposes Disclosure of Abuse Disclosed In Confessions

In New Hampshire, proposed HB 1127 would make it clear that clergy are not exempt from requirements of the Child Protection Act that requires reporting of suspected child abuse or neglect to law enforcement officials. The Keene New Hampshire Sentinel yesterday reported that for the second time in three years a bill has been introduced into the legislature in order to make clear that the reporting requirement applies even to information learned by clergy in confession or in giving similar spiritual advice. Diane Quinlan, chancellor of the Catholic Diocese of Manchester spoke out in opposition to the bill, saying that allowing a "limited exception" for sacramental confession is crucial to the free practice of Catholicism.