The Washington Court of Appeals has ruled that the Attorney General’s Office can proceed with its investigation into the Archdiocese of Seattle’s handling of child sexual abuse allegations. This decision overturns a previous ruling that had limited the state’s ability to enforce subpoenas for church records.
Attorney General Bob Ferguson initiated the investigation in 2024, aiming to determine whether the Archdiocese misused charitable funds to conceal allegations of child sex abuse by clergy. The Archdiocese had refused to comply with subpoenas, citing a religious exemption under the state’s Charitable Trust Act. In July 2024, King County Superior Court Judge Michael Scott sided with the Archdiocese, ruling that the Attorney General lacked the authority to enforce the subpoenas due to this exemption.
Ferguson appealed the decision, emphasizing the public’s right to transparency and accountability. He stated, “As a Catholic, the church must do the right thing and engage in a public accounting of how the church handles allegations of child sex abuse.” The appellate court’s recent ruling supports this stance, allowing the investigation to continue while imposing certain restrictions to protect the Archdiocese’s constitutional religious rights.
Archbishop Paul D. Etienne responded to the ruling by reaffirming the Archdiocese’s commitment to preventing abuse and aiding victims. He stated, “We share the same goals as the Attorney General: to prevent abuse and pursue healing for victims.” The Archdiocese has previously released a list of clergy and religious members credibly accused of abuse and maintains a helpline for reporting misconduct.
Survivors and their advocates have welcomed the appellate court’s decision. An attorney representing survivors noted, “For decades, survivors have fought to uncover the truth about how abuse was handled behind closed doors. The Court of Appeals’ decision reinforces that no institution is above accountability when it comes to protecting children.” This ruling is seen as a significant step toward transparency and justice for those affected by clergy abuse.
The Attorney General’s Office has indicated that the investigation will continue, focusing on obtaining records related to allegations, internal policies, clergy discipline, and past settlements involving sexual misconduct. The outcome of this investigation could have broader implications for how religious institutions are held accountable for handling abuse allegations.