Priest-abuse victims' advocate: Interim report means justice denied 'again'

By Ivey Dejesus
PennLive
July 28, 2018

https://www.pennlive.com/news/2018/07/victims_advocate_mark_rozzi_or.html

Rep. Mark Rozzi, the de facto advocate for victims of child sex abuse in Pennsylvania, is blasting an order issued Friday by the state's highest court directing the Commonwealth to release a partial report on a long-awaited grand jury investigation on clergy sex abuse.

"Justice delayed is justice denied ... again," said Rozzi, a Berks County Democrat who, at the age of 13, was molested by a priest.

"While the justices ponder what 'process-related remedial measure can be taken now,' how 'bout the Church save us all a lot of grief and voluntarily present their bad actors to the public?"

The Pennsylvania Supreme Court on Friday ordered the Office of Attorney General to release to the public large portions of the report on the grand jury investigation. The report - the findings of an 18-month-long investigation into clergy sex abuse across six of the state's eight Catholic dioceses - identifies more than 300 predator priests.

The order set the date of Aug. 14 by which the report must be released, according to the order written by Chief Justice Thomas Saylor. 

The court ruled that the report could be released to the public without compromising the rights of petitioners who have challenged the report.

Dozens of priests have challenged the release of the report and said it would violate their rights to due process. The court conceded sufficient measures should be taken to protect their identities and called for a redacted version of the report. 

In a scathing written statement, Rozzi excoriated what he said was the influence of powerful church lobbyists, who, he holds, have long protected predators and denied victims justice.

Dozens of priests have challenged the release of the report and said it would violate their rights to due process. The court conceded sufficient measures should be taken to protect their identities and called for a redacted version of the report. 

In a scathing written statement, Rozzi excoriated what he said was the influence of powerful church lobbyists, who, he holds, have long protected predators and denied victims justice.

"The Supreme Court opinion talks about preponderance -of-the-evidence. Besides sworn testimony and exhibits, with the supervising judge in attendance the whole time, the preponderance of the evidence came from the church," Rozzi said in his statement.

"No kidding that the report, redacted or otherwise, 'will yield critical judgments by the citizenry.' If the dioceses own records demonstrate that people knew of abuse and either did nothing or actively obstructed the revelation of abuse....to protect reputations (and assets}...than so be it."

The Pennsylvania Catholic Conference is not commenting on the grand jury process. An official for the organization said the conference was not involved in the investigation.

Mike Barley, a spokesman for the Diocese of Harrisburg, on Friday noted that church officials there have fully cooperated with the office of state Attorney General Josh Shapiro.

"The Diocese and Bishop Gainer strongly support the release of the Grand Jury report and have not filed anything to cause the stay ordered," he said. "Ensuring that this Report is accurate is paramount to its integrity and we are pleased that the Supreme Court has shown the leadership to make certain that the information being released to the public is correct." 

Rozzi is determined to see that the report effects reform in state law to allow victims broader access to justice.  

Rozzi is setting his sights on Senate Bill 261, which as written now, would give child victims until age 50 to bring civil lawsuits against abusers or those employers who were allegedly negligent in failing to stop them. At present, the window to sue expires at age 30. 

The bill would also eliminate any statute of limitations on criminal prosecutions for child sexual abuse crimes in the future.

Rozzi intends to "gut" SB 261 with the language in his House Bill 612, which would amend the former to allow adults who were abused as children a chance at justice. His proposal would provide a two-year window of time for all victims of past abuse to come forward and seek justice. 

Rozzi notes that the high court opinion cites a "Foul Blow" or "Fair Play" concept in which presentments are deemed foul.

"Nothing could be more foul than the criminal behavior of predator priests and the outrageous cover-up by arrogant bishops," he said.

Rozzi said victims are likely to see a repeat of history.

"So the publication of the full report is backburnered for oral arguments till September," he said. "Just like the victims were...until their statutes ran out. Meanwhile, the lawyers and lobbyists are having a field day."

Victims on Friday expressed a mix of emotions, from relieve that the report was finally poised to be released to the fear that it will rekindle trauma.