DUAL SYSTEM OF JUSTICE IN NEW YORK STATE?

DUAL SYSTEM OF JUSTICE IN NEW YORK STATE?

March 6, 2009


The following is an open letter by Catholic League president Bill Donohue to
New York State lawmakers:

Complaints have reached my office about some New York State lawmakers who
are considering a bill, sponsored by Assemblywoman Margaret Markey, that
would discriminate against the Catholic Church by selectively targeting
private institutions in legislation aimed at prosecuting the sexual abuse of
minors. There is another bill on the same issue, sponsored by Assemblyman
Vito Lopez, which does not discriminate: it treats private and public
institutions the same way. While there are some differences between the two
bills, the central difference is in their application.

Please understand that I am not accusing anyone who supports the Markey bill
of anti-Catholicism. But I hasten to add that those who do so are certainly
giving the appearance of sponsoring bigotry. Perception, it is often said,
is reality.

Alabama Governor George Wallace was known for promoting a dual system of
justice-one for whites and one for blacks. It is no less invidious to
promote a dual system of justice based on other grounds. If a child has been
violated, what matters is the crime, not the location.

Anyone who is really serious about prosecuting the sexual abuse of minors
wants all victimizers to be treated equally. I hope you agree.


.

Quantcast