PENNSYLVANIA
Philly.com
by Maria Panaritis, STAFF WRITER
Standing with others who had been abused by Catholic clergy, State Rep. Mark Rozzi hurled stacks of grand jury reports onto the steps of the Cathedral Basilica of SS. Peter and Paul on Monday, and loudly vowed to continue trying to change Pennsylvania law so victims like himself can file suit in decades-old cases.
Stoking a legislative fight over the civil statute of limitations, the Berks County Democrat pledged to rewrite a pending House bill to include a two-year window in which any adult of any age could sue private institutions and individuals for abuse that occurred when they were children.
“For over 50 years, this institution, the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, and its leadership, the archbishops, and in fact all Roman Catholic dioceses across the state of Pennsylvania believed they were above the law, that they didn’t have to abide by our laws,” Rozzi said, shouting. “And now, they hide behind our laws.”
His version would be more favorable to victims than that passed by the House in April. Under pressure from church and insurance lobbyists, the Senate unanimously voted last month to strip it of language that would have allowed people up to age 50 to sue for past abuse.
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