Quote of the Day

[Trigger warning for clergy abuse.]

"The [Connecticut State] General Assembly is considering passage of House Bill 5473, which will remove the 30-year statute of limitation for the filing of sexual abuse claims concerning minors. The passage of this legislation could potentially have a devastating financial effect on the Catholic dioceses of Connecticut, including parish assets and those of other Catholic service organizations."— Reverend Henry J. Mansell, Archbishop of Hartford, in a letter (pdf) to pastors across the state, urging them to oppose HB 5473.

This letter was not secretly obtained by some news organization. I found it via a link right on the front page of the Connecticut Catholic Public Affairs Conference website, after reading this story at CNN.

There's also a "pulpit announcement" (pdf) which explicitly states the following is to be read at mass: "This Bill threatens the property of our parish and other Catholic parishes, schools, charities, hospitals, and dioceses. It is critically important that you contact your state senator and state representative as soon as possible to express your opposition to this legislation." Parishioners are directed to seek further information on a bulletin insert.

Um. Yeah. Okay, so how is this organization still being allowed the tax exemption that is contingent on not engaging in direct political activity with regard to either a specific political candidate or in an attempt to directly influence the passage of specific legislation…? Are you paying attention, IRS?

Meanwhile, the honesty that lifting the statute of limitations "could potentially have a devastating financial effect" is refreshing, if heartbreakingly lamentable.