Maryland bill to lift statute of limitations in abuse cases withdrawn

Published: 2008-02-27

BALTIMORE (CNS) -- A Maryland lawmaker has withdrawn a bill that would have lifted the statute of limitations on child sex abuse civil cases. Catholic leaders feared that, had it become law, the financial toll of such cases would have devastated parishes, schools and ministries. The bill, sponsored by Democratic Del. Eric Bromwell, would have created a one-year window during which individuals claiming they were sexually abused as children could file civil suits against the perpetrator and private institutions such as dioceses, parishes and schools regardless of how long ago the alleged abuse occurred. Richard J. Dowling, executive director of the Maryland Catholic Conference, said he was "very gratified" by Bromwell's decision. The conference is the public policy arm of the state's Catholic bishops. "Eric Bromwell is one of those delegates who really cares about what his constituents think," said Dowling. "Here, a substantial number of his Catholic constituents made clear their belief that his legislation targeted the Catholic Church in an unfair way and did nothing to protect children from abuse."

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