Catholic League president Bill Donohue comments on an editorial in yesterday’s New York Times, “Justice for Child Abuse Victims,” that criticizes the Catholic Church:
The New York Times says “The Catholic Church is working against the interests of child abuse victims in state legislatures around the country,” citing as proof its attempt to block laws in states that would amend the statute of limitations for alleged victims of sexual abuse. It also urges New York lawmakers to pass a bill on this issue, noting opposition from the New York State Catholic Conference and Orthodox Jewish officials.
The editorial is deceptive and patently unfair. What the Catholic Church is doing is protecting itself from a vindictive campaign to settle old scores by looting the coffers of the Church. Interestingly, the Times, which is quick to demand constitutional rights for accused Muslim terrorists, has no such interest in protecting the rights of accused priests.
Last year, there were two bills introduced in New York State on this issue: one applied only to private institutions; the other applied to both the private and the public sectors. The Times endorsed the former, thus showing its preference for sticking it to Catholics and for (some) discriminatory legislation.
The Times editorial fails to note that in addition to Catholics and Orthodox Jews, those opposed to the New York bill include the New York State School Boards Association, the New York Council of School Superintendents, the New York Association of Counties, the New York Conference of Mayors, the New York Farm Bureau, the New York Medical Society and the New York Society of Professional Engineers. But to mention these groups would work against the Times’ agenda of convincing readers that the Church is “working against the interests of child abuse victims.” Evidently, the Times is incapable of being shamed these days.
Contact public editor Clark Hoyt: public@nytimes.com
