Letters: Protect all victims of sex abuse

ISSUE | SEX ABUSE

Protect all victims

The need for greater protections against sexual assault - be it for children or young adults on college campuses - is urgent. As governor of Pennsylvania, I am committed to expanding the ability of victims to come forward without fear and hold their abusers accountable, including supporting the removal of criminal statutes of limitation for child sex abuse, which House Bill 1947 would do.

I commend legislators in Harrisburg including Reps. Mark Rozzi, D, Berks County; Ron Marsico, R., Dauphin; Nick Miccarelli, R., Delaware; James R. Santora, R., Delaware; Joe Petrarca, D., Westmoreland; Tim Briggs, D., Montgomery; Martina White, R., Philadelphia; and Margo Davidson, D., Delaware; and Sen. John Sabatina, D., Phila., for showing courage in the face of misguided opposition, and for standing up for victims of sexual abuse ("Lawmakers feel church's heat," Thursday).

There is no dollar amount or time limit that can, or should, be placed on holding those accountable who prey on those who are vulnerable and defenseless.

We must continue to look at the entire system to change what has become a true crisis for all Pennsylvanians, especially our children and young people.

|Gov. Tom Wolf, Harrisburg

Bill unfair to church

It is a shame that a few state representatives resent being called to account for their promotion of an unjust bill that targets the Catholic Church. The unfairness of the proposed law is apparent on its face. It applies to public schools on the date the law takes effect while applying to parochial schools retroactively.

Although the bill provides that public schools may be liable for future acts of gross negligence, public-school liability would be limited to $250,000 per person. In contrast, church schools would not face such a limit.

Why the differences?

No wonder these representatives do not want their constituents to know what they have done. We expect better from our elected representatives.

|Gerard J. St. John, Drexel Hill, Sinjin11@comcast.net

Put victims first

I am appalled by the Catholic Church's reaction to Pennsylvania lawmakers, who are feeling the church's ire for choosing justice for the victims rather than loyalty to the abusers. I am proud of

Rep. James Santora for such a courageous decision. He demonstrates what he learned in his Catholic education. I am proud to have known him and his family when I taught at St. Dorothy School in Drexel Hill. As a teacher of the Catholic faith, should I have expected any other decision?

The Church has and does carry out the mission of Christ in many programs and institutions, but it cannot deny its mandate "to let its light shine before men." To deny it is to deny Jesus.

|Ernie Sherretta, Broomall