State Law Threatens Priests' Loyalty: Jail or Excommunication for Refusing to Comply

Bishop Robert Barron warned that some state laws could force Catholic priests to choose between serving jail time or facing excommunication if they refuse to provide information requested by law enforcement about suspected child abuse cases. The issue has been raised in California, where state law requires police to ask for the names of any witnesses who may have seen a crime occur. Barron stated that some clergy members would be forced to cooperate with authorities or face severe penalties.