A Washington State law that threatens priests with up to one year in jail if they fail to report child abuse revealed to them in confession is being investigated by the US Department of Justice (DOJ).

The new law adds clergy to the list of mandatory reporters for child abuse even if it is learned of during “privileged communication”.

Moreover, it does so despite exempting all other mandatory reporters, such as nurses and therapists, when they come by such knowledge during communication that is “privileged”.

In a press release, the DOJ said one of its primary concerns is that the law “appears to single out clergy as not entitled to assert applicable privileges, as compared to other reporting professionals”.

The Washington State Catholic Conference, which represents the state’s Catholic bishops, put out a statement to assure Catholics that “their confessions remain sacred, secure, confidential, and protected by the law of the Church.”

“Catholic clergy may not violate the seal of confession — or they will be excommunicated from the Church,” the statement, signed by Seattle Archbishop Paul D. Etienne, added.