Catholic Church spent $10.6 million to lobby against child abuse legislation

[MineralMan]

And here's another example of the Roman Catholic Church acting to benefit itself in a scandal, rather than acting responsibly and morally. Serving the needs of the Church, rather than serving the Lord or the public, it seems. Shame on the RCC! Fortunately, most of that money was wasted, and the laws passed anyway. Pass that collection plate!

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/catholic-church-scandal-spent-10-million-lobbyists-fight-extension-statutes-of-limitations-child-sex-abuse-vicims/

Catholic Church spent $10.6 million to lobby against legislation that would benefit victims of child sex abuse

A new report released Tuesday reveals that, over the past eight years, the Catholic Church has spent $10.6 million in the northeastern United States to fight legislation that would help victims of clergy sexual abuse seek justice.

"At the most basic level, we were inspired by frustration," says attorney Gerald Williams, a partner at Williams Cedar, one of four law firms that jointly commissioned the report. "We represent hundreds of people, who have truly been victimized by clergymen in the Catholic Church. We've heard a lot about the church's desire to be accountable and turn over a new leaf. But when we turn to the form where we can most help people and where we can get the most justice — the courts of justice — the church has been there blocking their efforts."

In New York, for example, the Catholic Church spent $2,912,772 lobbying against the Child Victims Act, which Governor Andrew Cuomo ultimately signed into law on February 14, 2019. The act gives survivors more time to seek justice against their abusers, increasing the age at which victims are able to sue from 23 to 55.

Similarly, in Pennsylvania — where in 2018 a grand jury report detailed evidence of more than 300 priests credibly accused of sexually abusing more than 1,000 children — the Catholic Church spent $5,322,979 lobbying to keep current restrictions in place on the statute of limitations in which victims can seek criminal or civil charges against their abusers.

More at link...

[MineralMan]

1. Here are more details, in a chart:

[Ohiogal]

2. Unbelievable.

"And Williams believes it's "likely" that at least some of the money used by the Catholic Church to combat extending the statute of limitations for survivors came from Sunday collections from the faithful."

Totally shameful. I just can't think of any other words to describe it.

[MineralMan]

3. Sadly, it's quite believable, I think.

[Major Nikon]

8. They are also funding child rapists still on the payroll

[trotsky]

4. Return On Investment.

If their lobbying succeeds, why they've just saved themselves hundreds of millions in restitution for their victims.

So much for justice.

[MineralMan]

5. Well, I don't expect them to stop serving themselves.

It's a centuries' old tradition.

[Major Nikon]

9. They benefit even if there is a delay

Just gives them more time to shield funds from lawsuits and bankruptcy filings. Anything to keep restitution away from the small minority of their victims seeking redress.

Just more evidence of a shitty, evil organization. I’m sure soon we will get a “counterpoint” from one of their child rape apologists.

[demigoddess]

6. I gues they never really listened to Jesus.

sad.

[edhopper]

7. If someone donates to the Catholic Church

they are part of the problem and share responsibility.