The truth is painful every time we hear it. That is no less so today with
Bishop Gumbleton's revelation. Bishop Gumbleton, like all survivors,
deserves the sincere apology of his Church backed by a real quest for true
reform.

His disclosure serves to underscore what the survivors have taught the
Church and society at large - that it takes a very long time to come to
terms with abuse. This is why access to justice should be afforded to
victims of sexual abuse through "windows" that allow for a look back period.

What we don't know does harm us. When we don't have knowledge of who sexual
predators are children are at risk.

When the Bishops cover up abuse and block reforms the Church suffers for
sure but society loses the strength of a moral pillar.

Only truth and the willingness to seek it will lead us from the depth of
this scandal and cure the laryngitis in the Church's moral voice.

Ohio lawmakers see today that the wall of Bishop opposition to the "window"
provision of Ohio Senate Bill 17 is not solid. We call upon members of the
Ohio House, holders of the public trust, to seize this opportunity to learn
the need for all of the provisions of Senate Bill 17.

Bishops should lead, not impede. Led now by one of their own there is a
sliver of hope that Bishops could drop their opposition to the look back
window and allow wrongs to be righted, children to be protected, and access
to justice to be obtained.