CNN's Chris Cuomo wants America to pay more attention to the Catholic sex abuse scandal, change specific laws

Chris Cuomo wants more liberal statutes of limitations for sex abuse
(Image credit: Screenshot/YouTube/CNN)

"Arguably the worst proof of abuse by the Catholic Church to date" was just released, in a 900-page Pennsylvania grand jury report, "and it isn't getting a lot of attention," CNN's Chris Cuomo said Wednesday night. "Isn't that a scary thought? In fact, it could be argued I should be talking about Omarosa or pulling clearances right now instead of this story, but I think that's really wrong. I think there's time for everything that matters, and this really does." The report listed 300 predator priests who victimized more than 1,000 children dating back to the 1940s, "and yes, the church — my church — covered it up," Cuomo said. "Are we really over the abuse of children? Is it because the details are so terrible?" He sketched out some details.

But mostly, Cuomo wanted to talk about changing statute of limitations laws so abuse victims can get justice — in Pennsylvania, New York, and elsewhere. Many of the priests named in the report "are dead, and maybe their punishment in the next life will be worse than anything that could be meted out here as justice," he said. "But as for the living, under law right now," the survivors of abuse almost never get justice. He made his case for changing the laws, comparing how we view justice for sex abuse victims against the death penalty.

"Look, we know organizations, even religious ones, will protect themselves, even if it means they're going to victimize children in the process," Cuomo said. "That's where the law comes in. That's where you come in." He had some suggestions for how to vote. As luck would have it, Cuomo's brother, the New York governor, is already on board.

Subscribe to The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE
https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/jacafc5zvs1692883516.jpg

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

Sign up
To continue reading this article...
Continue reading this article and get limited website access each month.
Get unlimited website access, exclusive newsletters plus much more.
Cancel or pause at any time.
Already a subscriber to The Week?
Not sure which email you used for your subscription? Contact us
Peter Weber, The Week US

Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.