MD Catholics upset with pending legislation
Posted by Jeff Quinton on February 5, 2008
There’s legislation that is reportedly going to to be introduced Thursday by Delegate Eric Bromwell (D-Baltimore County, Dist. 8 ) and Senator James Brochin (D-Baltimore County, Dist. 42) that has Roman Catholics in Maryland concerned. The “[a]nticipated legislation would retroactively suspend for two years the statute of limitations for civil child sexual abuse cases.”
Information was presented from the pulpit in Catholic churches in the Archdiocese of Baltimore this past weekend and an information sheet was also handed out. All information about the possible legislation and the current laws are paraphrased from that document. According to that sheet, this legislation would not affect criminal cases, since Maryland is one of seven states that has no statute of limitations for felonies. It would only affect civil litigation against individuals and private organizations who employed them.
Currently, civil suits for child sex abuse can be field against individuals, non-profits or private entities after the claimed abuse occurred and before the child’s 25th birthday (or 7 years past legal age.) The standards and time limits are different for most government employees and agencies.
The information sheet also points out in detail all the ways that the Archdiocese of Baltimore has helped victims of abuse before talking more about the anticipated legislation. The church’s position is then detailed. The basic points of the church position are:
*Extension/suspension of the civil statute of limitations does not protect children.
*The legislation targets the Church.
*Statutes of limitation ensure fairness.
The possible effects on the church are then discussed in the information sheet. The potential negative impact on individual parishes, schools, social services and medical services are detailed. It is also mentioned that when similar legislation was passed in California, five dioceses were forced to file for bankruptcy.
The information sheet then tells people to get involved by contacting their local legislators, contacting Del. Bromwell and Sen. Brochin (information is below for those of you on either side of this issue who want to contact them), attending Lobby Night 2008 on February 18, and keeping up with the issues on the MD Catholic Conference website.
The above was all paraphrased from the information sheet handed out. I personally am not a Catholic but my wife is and an announcement was made in her parish about this issue Sunday. The information sheet was also handed out after services.
Contact information:
Senator James Brochin
Senate Office Building, Room 221
11 Bladen St., Annapolis, MD 21401
(410) 841-3648, (301) 858-3648
1-800-492-7122, ext. 3648 (toll free)
e-mail: jim.brochin@senate.state.md.us
fax: (410) 841-3643, (301) 858-3643
705 York Road, Towson, MD 21204
(410) 823-7087; fax: (410) 823-7088
—
Delegate Eric Bromwell
House Office Building, Room 305
6 Bladen St., Annapolis, MD 21401
(410) 841-3766, (301) 858-3766
1-800-492-7122 (toll free)
e-mail: eric.bromwell@house.state.md.us
fax: (410) 841-3850, (301) 858-3850
Related:
Fact sheet handed out at churches
Comment by UAB
As you can probably guess, my parish priest did not find me attractive, (he oped for a male hooker and crack), but an organization outright lies about an issue (and declaring that “The legislation targets the Church” is a lie because it’s not true, it affects everyone), it is an indicator that something afoul is afoot.
As far as I can tell, nobody else is reacting like this. Why? Perhaps because they have nothing to fear. I fully support this act because I, unlike many Catholic priests, don’t diddle children.