Bill Closing Confession Loophole Withdrawn After Catholic Church Opposition

(Bismarck, ND)  --  A bill that would have required clergy to report child sex abuse learned about during confession or other private religious conversations is being withdrawn after opposition from the Catholic Church.  The bill was withdrawn Friday after the Catholic Church publicly condemned it as a "direct assault on our faith."  Co-sponsor Senator Judy Lee asked for it to be withdrawn because "the bill has become a distraction."  Clergy are currently mandated reporters of child abuse under North Dakota law, except when the information is obtained while acting as a spiritual advisor.  For Catholic priests and for pastors of some other denominations, that only includes the seal of confession.