Frank Schindler, a clinical psychologist, vividly recalls – more than 60 years later – the threat from his Baltimore priest/school counselor/molester, who had his way with him for months when he was a five-year-old: “I was taught he was God on earth, that he could do no wrong, and these were secrets between the two of us and God; to break that seal would be a mortal sin and you’d go straight to hell.”

Dr. Schindler, who testified he was sexually abused by a Catholic priest when he was a 5-year-old kindergartner in 1954, told legislators at the Maryland General Assembly that the Child Victim’s Act was “both a moral and a civil rights issue.”

“It will send a strong message to all survivors and their abusers that the gross violation of the basic right of children not to be abused will no longer be tolerated in Maryland no matter how powerful the source of that abuse,” said Schindler, who is now 73-year-old psychologist and a member of Maryland’s chapter of Survivors Network for those Abused by Priests.

"The abuse of children will not be tolerated no matter how powerful the source of that abuse thinks they are. We as survivors have power and we're standing up. I want to say to Archbishop Lori, 'We are here now, and we're not going anywhere,'" said Frank Schindler who said he was abused by priests in New York and joined in solidarity with Maryland victims.

Frank’s wife, Betsy Schindler, is a clinical social worker, and also an advocate for those abused by clergy. She wrote in a recent op-ed in the Baltimore Sun, “These clergy sexual abuse survivors are truly brave and inspiring, and I can only hug them and tell them what a good job they did while feeling overwhelmed with gratitude and empathy and support for them. They are changing the world, and they are changing my life by allowing me to stand with them and be heard. I am proud and grateful to call myself a supporter…. ”