Archbishop Chaput To Conduct 2 Private Meetings With Priests
By Mark Abrams
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Philadelphia Archbishop Charles Chaput will conduct two private, closed door meetings today with priests from the archdiocese.
There is a pressing issue on his agenda.
Sources tell KYW Newsradio the archbishop will review the status of legislation which would allow victims of clerical sex abuse to sue their perpetrators, as well as the church that employs them.
That legislation passed the state House several weeks ago and is now in the Senate.
Sen. Stewart Greenleaf, a Montgomery County Republican and chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee where the bill has been referred, has told advocates some kind of action could come on the bill before lawmakers recess in June.
The Pennsylvania Catholic Conference claims the legislation would prompt lawsuits that could eventually bankrupt parishes.
Archdiocesan spokesman Ken Gavin says the gatherings with Chaput are private and such meetings take place regularly. He had no comment on the subject matter.
The meetings are scheduled at St. Helena Church in Whitpain Township, Montgomery County.
