FACT SHEET: On the Constitutionality of HB 1947 Background: Currently in Pennsylvania, a survivor of child sex abuse has until age 50 to file criminal charges and age 30 to initiate a civil suit if the abuse occurred after 2002. Anyone abused before that year has much less time to report abuse. HB 1947 seeks … Continue reading HB 1947 Is Constitutional and Does Not Attack Church

Click here to read: "Priests, parishes target Pa. legislators who backed sex-abuse bill," by Maria Panaritis, The Philadelphia Inquirer, June 8, 2016 Excerpt: One lawmaker called it "electioneering." Another grew emotional as she recounted being snubbed by a priest. A third penned a Facebook screed that became the buzz of the House of Representatives. Legislators … Continue reading Philly Clergy Resorts to Spiritual Shaming

Click here to read: "To understand Pa. battle over clergy sex-abuse victims law, look to Delaware," by Maria Panaritis, The Philadelphia Inquirer, June 5, 2016 Excerpt: In all, U.S. Catholic institutions have paid some $2.2 billion in settlements and court-ordered abuse damages since 2002, said Terry McKiernan, founder of BishopAccountability.org, an advocacy group that has … Continue reading Delaware Illustrates Impact of PA Child Sex-Abuse Reform

Written by OWLFAN This past week has been a whirlwind for survivors such as myself with the news that House Bill 1947, which passed in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives in April, would be going to the Senate for hearings in June.  The Archdiocese of Philadelphia has begun circling the wagons in anticipation of this … Continue reading A Survivor’s Take On Pending Legislation

Click here to read: "With abuse bill looming, Chaput calls priest meeting," by Maria Panaritis, Philly.com, May 16, 2016 Editor's note: This bill would protect all children in Pennsylvania from child sex abusers who have escaped the justice system due to the current statute of limitations. This is not limited to clergy sex abuse cases. Many … Continue reading Chaput Calls Priest Meeting On Bill

Click here to read, "Newall: A long overdue quest for healing and justice," by Mike Newall, Columnist for the Philadelphia Inquirer, Philly.com, May 11, 2016 This bill could help so many... Excerpt: "Like James Spoerl, who was 44 and lived in Northeast Philadelphia. He suffered through years of depression and addiction stemming from abuse he … Continue reading Progress in Harrisburg Proves Hopeful

Broken Silence by Victoria Cubberley So enormously disappointed in human kind. Their choice to deny: live in fear, abandon the most innocent whose childlike eyes seek our refuge. In their helplessness, you chose to look away, turn your back on such screaming pain. A thousand years and still you chose to hurt. This history forever … Continue reading A Survivor’s Poem

Click here to read: "As Pennsylvania Confronts Clergy Sex Abuse, Victims and Lawmakers Act," by Laurie Goodstein, The New York Times, April 4, 2016 Excerpt: “Enough is enough,” said State Representative Thomas R. Caltagirone, a Democrat from Berks County, after reading the grand jury report, which he called “revolting.” For years, in his position as … Continue reading Caltagirone Changes Mind On Child Sex Abuse SOL

A couple of years ago, Kathy and I had the honor of meeting a devoted mother whose son was a survivor of clergy abuse. That son has recently passed away. We are asking for you to keep their family and friends in your prayers.  

WRITTEN BY KATHY KANE Essential Norm #12 From the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People "No priest or deacon who has committed an act of sexual abuse of a minor may be transferred for a ministerial assignment in another diocese/eparchy. Every bishop/eparch who receives a priest or deacon from outside his jurisdiction … Continue reading Does the Hierarchy Even Know?