THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED. FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: Up front this morning, more on the sexual abuse scandals in the church. Sexual misconduct charges are being leveled against a priest in the nation's capital. No criminal charges will be filed against Pastor Russell Dillard, who was -- who has already acknowledged an inappropriate relationship with two young girls. No criminal charges because the statute of limitations on the crime expired.
The statute of limitations is a problem for many of the victims in these sexual abuse cases who never have come forward when they were young. In many instances, the Catholic Church is being criticized for covering up alleged abuse for years without taking action.
Now, as CNN's Jason Carroll reports, there is momentum to enact new legislation that would compel the church to come forward.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JASON CARROLL, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Traditionally, the Roman Catholic Church has held a place of privilege and trust. But allegations of sexual abuse by priests puts the church at odds with a growing number of people who say more should be done to hold the church accountable.
JEANINE PIRRO, DISTRICT ATTORNEY: The truth is that doctors and teachers and nurses are mandated to report child abuse. Why should a clergyman be less mandated to report when they hold themselves out as someone who has a moral responsibility to society and to god?
CARROLL: District Attorney Jeanine Pirro supports legislation being drafted in New York State that would require members of the clergy to report allegations of sexual abuse they hear outside the confessional. Currently, 11 states have similar laws on their books.
(on camera): The Archdiocese of New York says it will follow the new law if passed, provided that it protects the confidentiality of confession. The church also wants a provision saying it should not have to report if the victim is opposed to disclosure.
JOSEPH ZWILLING, SPOKESMAN, NEW YORK ARCHDIOCESE: This way if they know that they can come to us and we'll respect their wishes, we can at least take action in regards to the priest so that other people might be protected.
MARK SERRANO, ALLEGED VICTIM: I don't believe that they can be counted upon to enforce any new law that's put in place.
CARROLL (voice-over): In 1985, Mark Serrano settled with the Diocese of Paterson, New Jersey. He says he was abused by his pastor from the age of nine to 16 when he was an altar boy at St. Joseph's.
SERRANO: It was done in secret. And secrecy really is what has carried the crimes, has allowed the crimes to occur and has allowed people to stay locked in silence for so many years.
CARROLL: Serrano says had there been a clergy reporting law in effect then, like there is now in New Jersey, maybe he and others would not have been victimized. But his arty is not so sure.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: There's nothing wrong with having clergy be mandatory reporters, but, for example, in New Jersey everybody is a reporter. And it didn't stop the church from covering up this type of behavior.
CARROLL: Serrano is encouraged by what's happening in New York. But he says it isn't just laws that need to change...
SERRANO: Good girl.
CARROLL: It's the culture within the church.
Jason Carroll, CNN, New York.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
