New York and 17 other states do not currently mandate reporting of child sexual abuse by clergy. The June Norms would have required bishops to report such crimes. The October revision of the Norms only required that bishops COMPLY WITH ALL APPLICABLE CIVIL LAWS WITH RESPECT TO THE REPORTING OF ALLEGATIONS OF SEXUAL ABUSE OF MINORS TO CIVIL AUTHORITIES.
It is crucial that Catholics firmly support efforts in those 18 states to close this loophole, and to include clergy among those mandated to report this crime to lawful authorities.
Currently (5/28/03) the state legislature must come to a compromise between two quite similar bills (Senate S2947 & Assembly A1516)
before mid June, or the state will go at least one more year without this protection for our children and our Church.