Pittsburgh Victim Advocate, Victorious Attorney Hail Pa Appeals Court Ruling

By Bob Mayo
WTAE TV
June 12, 2019

https://www.wtae.com/article/pittsburgh-victim-advocate-victorious-attorney-hail-pa-appeals-court-ruling-on-lawsuit-statute-of-limitations-in-predator-priest-cases/27974822

Advocates for victims of clergy sexual abuse are taking heart from a Pennsylvania Superior Court decision that says, in view of alleged cover-ups, it's possible for a jury to decide whether the statute of limitations should apply in lawsuits alleging abuse by predator priests.

While the case in question is against the Roman Catholic Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown, it may have impact across Pennsylvania.

"So, to put that decision in the hands of the jury, I think it gives the victims a chance to tell their story and to be given the justice that they deserve," Frances Samber, Pittsburgh-area leader of SNAP, told Pittsburgh's Action News 4.

SNAP is the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests. Samber is active in memory of her late brother, Michael Unglo, a victim of a predator priest. Unglo later took his own life after the Diocese of Pittsburgh ended payments for his medical and counseling treatment.

Pittsburgh-area attorney Alan Perer won this breakthrough ruling in a suit against the Altoona-Johnstown diocese. He says the appeals court decision can affect cases in the Pittsburgh diocese and across Pennsylvania.

"This affects hundreds, if not thousands of victims. It's the most wonderful victory for justice for all of these victims who were abused when they were children," Perer told Pittsburgh's Action News 4.