WASHINGTON, DC – The Faith & Freedom Coalition issued the following statement today in response to the introduction of Arizona House Bill 2039, a radical piece of legislation that seeks to criminalize the Catholic Sacrament of Reconciliation and force priests to violate the sacred Seal of the Confessional under threat of felony charges and jail time.
Statement from Dr. Ralph Reed, Founder and Chairman of the Faith & Freedom Coalition:
“Arizona HB 2039 is nothing less than a direct declaration of war on religious liberty and the First Amendment. For two thousand years, the confidentiality of the confessional has been a sacred, inviolable space between a soul and God. Now, radical politicians in Phoenix want to barge into that sacred space, tear down the wall between Church and State, and throw priests in prison for following their conscience and their faith.
This isn’t about safety, it’s about state supremacy. If the government can force a priest to betray a sacrament, no house of worship and no person of faith is safe from government overreach. This bill is unconstitutional, it is un-American, and it is a dangerous precedent that would turn the clergy into agents of the state.
We are calling on every Christian in Arizona to stand up and be heard. Do not let your silence be mistaken for consent. Contact your State Representatives immediately and demand they reject HB 2039. We must protect the sanctity of our faith and ensure that Arizona remains a land where God – not the government – is the ultimate authority over the soul.”
Call to Action for Arizona Christians:
- CALL your State Representative today.
- DEMAND a “NO” vote on HB 2039.
- PROTECT the Seal of the Confessional and the First Amendment.
About the Faith & Freedom Coalition:
The Faith & Freedom Coalition is a national grassroots movement of over 3 million members and supporters dedicated to protecting religious liberty, strengthening families, and defending the values that made America great.
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