Abuse limitations bill withdrawn

BALTIMORE -- Catholic church officials have expressed gratitude that a Maryland lawmaker has withdrawn a bill that would have lifted the statute of limitations on child sex abuse civil cases. Catholic leaders feared that, had it become law, the financial toll of such cases would have devastated parishes, schools and ministries.

Eric Bromwell, a Democratic member of the House of Delegates, sponsored a bill that would have created a one-year window during which individuals claiming they were sexually abused as children could file civil suits against the perpetrator and private institutions such as dioceses, parishes and schools regardless of how long ago the alleged abuse occurred.

Richard J. Dowling of the Maryland Catholic Conference said he was "very gratified" by Bromwell's decision because the "legislation targeted the Catholic church in an unfair way."

Fr. Kevin Schenning, pastor of St. Joseph Church in Baltimore, said he too was grateful that Bromwell, one of his parishioners, withdrew the bill.

Many St. Joseph parishioners--as well as Catholics throughout the archdiocese--had contacted the delegate to discuss the issue. "It's great that our voices are heard by our elected officials," Schenning said.

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