Philadelphia, Pa., Jun 9, 2016 / 02:01 am
A proposed Pennsylvania bill unfairly targets religious entities over public institutions – despite its claim to aid sex abuse victims, says Archbishop Charles Chaput of Philadelphia.
"The problem with HB 1947 is its prejudicial content. It covers both public and religious institutions – but in drastically different and unjust ways. The bill fails to support all survivors of abuse equally, and it's a clear attack on the Church, her parishes and her people," the archbishop said in a June 6 letter to the parishioners of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.
He charged that the bill poses "serious dangers" to Catholic parishes and ministries.
"In other states where similar legislation passed, local parishes have been sued, resulting in parish and school closures and charity work being crippled," the archbishop wrote.