March 24, 2005

Redressing clergy abuse

OHIO
Toledo Blade

THE bill may be unconstitutional but the cause is certainly righteous.
That's a realistic way to look at legislation passed by the Ohio Senate to give victims of childhood sexual abuse an extended opportunity to confront their abusers in court, even if the molestation occurred as far back as 1970.

While the measure would apply to all victims of childhood sexual abuse, it is aimed squarely at giving redress in civil lawsuits to those who were abused by clergy, chiefly from the Roman Catholic Church.

In Columbus to observe passage of the bill was Tony Comes, the Toledo firefighter whose bravely told story of abuse by a local priest in the 1980s was chronicled in a documentary movie nominated for an Academy Award this year.

While Mr. Comes' lawsuit against the Toledo Catholic Diocese has been settled, he believes the legislation is an overdue recognition that no one, including priests, is above the law.

Posted by kshaw at March 24, 2005 08:10 AM