Survivors of alleged child sexual abuse have asked the U.S. Supreme Court to hear a case challenging clergy-penitent privilege protections that allowed church leaders to withhold abuse reports from authorities. According to the petition, Arizona's clergy secrecy law enabled institutional cover-ups and placed children at continued risk.

The case stems from allegations that bishops were told of ongoing abuse but did not report it to law enforcement, citing religious confidentiality. Lower courts upheld the privilege; survivors argue it violates constitutional protections when child abuse is disclosed.

The Supreme Court receives thousands of petitions annually and agrees to hear only a small fraction. If accepted, the case could set a national precedent on whether clergy secrecy laws must yield when child abuse is disclosed.