Question of the Week: Should Arizona clergy be required to report privileged sex-abuse confessions?

The Arizona Supreme Court ruled in July that religious institutions have the absolute right to define protected confessions, exempting clergy from mandatory child-abuse reporting if deemed necessary by their faith. This decision stems from a lawsuit against the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Religious institutions can decide whether to report confessions to police, the court ruled, based solely on their interpretation of what their faith requires. Opponents say the ruling gives all religions the ability to keep child abuse secret. It likely will be appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court. Does the ruling put Arizona children at greater risk? Should it be overturned?

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