May 26, 2005

Catholic diocese sex-abuse suits are halted

PITTSBURGH (PA)
Philadelphia Inquirer

Associated Press

PITTSBURGH - A judge has halted proceedings in nearly three dozen sex-abuse lawsuits filed against the Roman Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh until the state Supreme Court issues an opinion regarding Pennsylvania's statute of limitations.

Allegheny County Judge R. Stanton Wettick Jr. did not rule on the diocese's request to dismiss the 35 sex-abuse cases, but last week did grant the diocese's request to halt the proceedings.

Lawyers for the plaintiffs objected to the stay because it allows the diocese to not turn over records related to the cases.

Posted by kshaw at May 26, 2005 08:02 AM