PENNSYLVANIA
Tribune-Review
By Dimitri Vassilaros
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Monday, March 21, 2005
The Roman Catholic Church legally can demand the dismissal of lawsuits not filed within two years.
But can it morally?
A three-judge panel of the Pennsylvania Superior Court cited the statute of limitations when it dismissed 18 lawsuits alleging sexual abuse by the clergy, filed against the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.
If the decision is not overturned, it also effectively prevents plaintiffs in 35 cases against the Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh -- and those suing other dioceses in the state -- from having their day in court.
"If that is the standard for others, why would that not be the standard for the church?" asked the Rev. Ron Lengwin, spokesman for the Pittsburgh diocese. "We hope it would not be a double standard."
Posted by kshaw at March 21, 2005 06:54 AM