PENNSYLVANIA
We Are Central PA
[with video]
Johnstown, Pa. – For victim advocate Shaun Dougherty, the memorandum of understanding between the U.S. Attorney and the Altoona-Johnstown Diocese represented great talk, but wants to see great action.
Dougherty believes the Diocese should join the push for retroactivity as the step to preventing child sex abuse crimes. He explained, “I applaud the Bishop for the first step, I’d like to see him take the next big step and support Rep. Rozzi’s bill.”
Rep. Mark Rozzi’s bill would allow the elimination of the statue of limitations to apply to past cases. Dougherty believes that law would bring the great action he’s looking for instead of just the joint memorandum.
He explained, “First of all, it’s just a memorandum. This isn’t anything legally binding. The Bishop could have just been making a speech today. You know, he has to follow up on the things that he’s said. A law, is a law. And that changes everything.”
Even though it’s not legally binding, Bishop Mark Bartchak assured that this isn’t just talk and there is no going back. He said, “By putting all this out in the public, I can’t shrink from this and I don’t intend to.” He later continued, “God help a Bishop that comes later who tries to undo that because we need to protect children.”
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