Summary

THE MASS. SENATE DEBATES A NEW CLERGY LAW AGAINST THOSE COMMITTING SEXUAL OFFENCES.

Source CONUS Archive
Record ID 224578
Story Slug Clergy - law
Location Boston, MA
Format PKG
Date 2/26/2002
Archive Time 51:40
TRT 1:10
Supers Boston, Massachusetts Rep. Francis Marini, D, Hanson Rep. Antonio Cabral, D, New Bedford Jim Boyd, Reporting
Video Description SOT MAN. GRAPHIC. SENATE. SOT MAN. SENATE. SOT MAN.
Description THE MASS. SENATE DEBATES A NEW CLERGY LAW AGAINST THOSE COMMITTING SEXUAL OFFENCES.
Script (LEAD) TUESDAY, THE MASSACHUSETTS HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES VOTED IN FAVOR OF A BILL WHICH REQUIRES CLERGY TO REPORT ANY EVIDENCE OF SEXUAL ABUSE OF CHILDREN. THE BILL, HAS RECENTLY GAINED SUPPORT WITH THE INCREASING SEX ABUSE SCANDAL INVOLVING THE ROMAN CATHOLIC ARCHDIOCESE. JIM BOYD REPORTS FROM BOSTON. (TAKE PKG) (SOT- Cabral "The goal should always be to protect children.") ANTONIO CABRAL OF NEW BEDFORD, PRESENTED SEVERAL AMENDMENTS TO THE CLERGY REPORTING BILL. THE LEGISLATION STATES THAT ALL CLERGY, PRIESTS, RABBI'S AND MINISTERS MUST NOW REPORT INCIDENTS OF ABUSED CHILDREN TO THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES. AMONG THE AMENDMENTS, A PROVISION TO INCLUDE CHURCH WORKERS OR ANY PERSON PERFORMING OFFICIAL DUTIES FOR ANY CHURCH OR RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATION. MINORITY FLOOR LEADER, FRANCIS MARINI SAYS HE HOPES THE BILL WILL NOT DISSUADE PEOPLE FROM TALKING ABOUT ABUSED CHILDREN WITH THEIR CLERGY. (SOT- Marini "What I am afraid of is people who go to clergymen, priests, ministers and rabbi's to get help not just from themselves but their husband or wife, brother or sister, those people won't come forward anymore. They won't go to the clergy because they are afraid the clergy will have to then do what they chose not to do, that is go to the police or D-S-S.") BUT DESPITE THOSE CONCERNS MARINI VOTED FOR THE BILL AND THE AMENDMENTS AND CABRAL SAYS IT'S WHAT THE LEGISLATURE IS HERE TO DO. (SOT-Cabral "It affects children, that's the first rule in what we are here to do. It is the ultimate responsibility of the state.") RECAP
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