COLUMBUS (OH)
Toledo Blade
By JIM PROVANCE
BLADE COLUMBUS BUREAU
COLUMBUS - A Roman Catholic bishop made an unprecedented appearance before a legislative committee yesterday, saying the church knows it has an obligation to help victims of sexual abuse at the hands of priests.
But Bishop Fred Campbell of the Diocese of Columbus, on the job just 11 months, told lawmakers that reviving civil cases as old as 35 years would endanger church resources used for charity and education without guaranteeing protection for children.
"Is the simple removal of the statute of limitations going to protect children?" Bishop Campbell asked the House Judiciary Committee. "Are we talking about identifying perpetrators or are we talking about protecting children?"
"It's one and the same," countered Rep. Sandra Harwood (D., Niles). "By identifying them, that's how you protect the children."