Burns seeks nationwide investigation into Roman Catholic Church sex abuse
Also proposes clarification of non-disclosure clauses in such cases
Rep. Frank Burns August 23, 2018 | 4:02 PM
EBENSBURG, Aug. 23 – Convinced that the heinous and pervasive sexual abuse of children now documented in all eight Pennsylvania dioceses is not unique, state Rep. Frank Burns wants the U.S. attorney general to launch a nationwide investigation of the Roman Catholic Church.
Burns, D-Cambria, plans to introduce a House resolution to that effect, largely because a frequent theme in the Pennsylvania grand jury reports was complicity of local elected officials in keeping such matters under wraps, due to church influence or selfish political concerns.
“We cannot trust that attorneys general in other states will have the political will or legal wherewithal to undertake an investigation of this magnitude on their own,” Burns said. “Federal prosecutors are best equipped to scrutinize this venerated institution that violated its members’ trust by allowing abusive behavior to go unchecked for decades.”
Burns said the issue strikes home with him, as a graduate of Bishop McCort High School in Cambria County, where a grand jury investigating the Johnstown-Altoona Diocese documented sexual abuse of students that victimized some of his friends and classmates.
“Parishioners, especially children, are taught to trust and revere priests, but we cannot allow anyone or any institution to be above the law,” Burns said.
Separately, Burns also plans to introduce a bill that would make clear that non-disclosure agreements do not prevent victims of child sexual abuse from sharing the facts of their abuse with police or testifying about the abuse in court.
“While a non-disclosure clause in a settlement does not prevent victims from complying with a subpoena to testify in a criminal case, the most recent grand jury report found many victims did not know the limits of non-disclosure clauses,” Burns said. “My legislation would require that any settlement agreement with a confidentiality clause must also include a disclaimer that contact with law enforcement is permitted – and that any attempt to use the agreement to prevent or discourage such contact is illegal.”
Burns is currently seeking co-sponsors for his resolution and his bill.