It was not coincidental that Cardinal Edward Egan, Archbishop of New York, attended the funeral for the wife of the Senate Majority leader, Senator Joseph Bruno. Since Bishop Howard Hubbard of Albany, in whose jurisdiction the parish where “Bobbie” Bruno was buried, was present at the funeral Mass, there was no reason for Cardinal Egan’s presence except in light of the horrendous crisis of clergy sexual abuse that has plagued the dioceses of New York State and the country, and his connection with the man who, so far, has catered to the wishes of his Church leaders. But it has left the citizens of New York State unsafe and under-represented.

Cardinal Egan’s presence was his way of thanking Senator Bruno for continually blocking legislation that would eliminate the statute of limitations for sexual abuse crimes against children. For the past three years, the New York State Assembly has voted in the affirmative for bills that would allow childhood victims of sexual abuse to hold their abusers accountable.

The bill protects all children, not just victims of clergy. When that same bill has reached Senator Bruno time after time, he has blocked it from getting out of the codes committee. Bruno will not even allow the Senate to debate the bill. Why: because he thinks it would have adverse effects on his Catholic Church, plain and simple. And, he would be chastised by the man who runs the Catholic Church in New York State, Cardinal Edward Egan. He might even lose his stranglehold seat in the Senate.

Cardinal Egan and the Catholic bishops of New York spend hundreds of thousands of dollars each year to kill legislation that would give seriously harmed people the opportunity to secure justice. Heretofore, antiquated legislation has shielded predators from prosecution and, in many cases, allowed them to re-offend against innocent children. It is time the citizens of New York State rise up in protest against these “obfuscators.”

Assemblywoman Marge Markey of Queens and Senator Stephen Saland of Poughkeepsie have steadfastly attempted to get legislation passed that would help victims of childhood sexual abuse. Only two persons have gotten in their way: Cardinal Edward Egan and Senator Joseph Bruno. It is time to stop these men from blocking the door to justice for all!

Rev. Robert M. Hoatson, Ph.D.
Abused in New York State
Member, New York State Coalition to Protect Children