Connecticut’s Catholic bishops are resisting a bill that would eliminate the statute of limitations for civil lawsuits in cases of sexual abuse. Archbishop Henry J. Mansell of Hartford, Bishop William E. Lori of Bridgeport and Bishop Michael R. Cote of Norwich sent notices to all pastors on April 8 requesting their help in opposing a measure that would make Connecticut the only state without a statute of limitations for the filing of sexual abuse claims concerning minors. “The passage of this legislation could potentially have a devastating financial effect on the Catholic dioceses of Connecticut, including parish assets and those of other Catholic service organizations,” the bishops wrote. “We all realize the serious nature of these crimes; however the passage of this law could result in claims that are 50, 60 or 70 years old, which are impossible to adequately defend in court.”
Bishops Decry Lifting Statute of Limitations
Show Comments (
)
Comments are automatically closed two weeks after an article's initial publication. See our comments policy for more.
The latest from america
A roundtable discussion on ‘Dignitas infinitas’ featuring host Colleen Dulle, editor in chief Sam Sawyer, S.J., and Michael O’Loughlin, the executive director of Outreach, an LGBT Catholic resource.
Migration is a privileged space in which the salvific mystery is being acted out.
Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan of New York said he “feel[s] safe and secure” April 14, after Israel defended itself overnight from unprecedented Iranian drone strikes and missiles.
Jesuit Father William J. Byron, known for his leadership of Jesuit institutions of higher learning, died at Manresa Hall, the health center of the Jesuit community at St. Joseph’s University in Philadelphia April 9.