BISHOP ROBERT BARRON: How state law could force priests to choose between jail or excommunication

When I was auxiliary bishop in Los Angeles some years ago, I spoke up at a meeting of the California hierarchy. We were considering a number of moves being made by the state legislature, including a proposal to require priests to break the seal of confession in matters dealing with child sex abuse. I remember saying, "Brothers, I think we have to draw a line in the sand on this one."  

And so we did.  In every diocese and archdiocese of the state, the bishops roused their people to oppose this legislation.