France's National Assembly unanimously adopted a new law on June 1 claiming to strengthen the protection of minors in schools and extracurricular activities.
However, before the final vote, lawmakers removed a controversial provision that would have required priests to report abuse disclosed during sacramental confession.
The original bill sought to make clergy subject to mandatory reporting requirements even when information was obtained through confession.
The proposal sparked strong opposition from the Catholic Church and concerns from legal experts about religious freedom and the relationship between church and state.
During the final stages of the legislative process, the provision was withdrawn.
A separate measure that would have increased state oversight of private Catholic schools under contract with the government was also removed.
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