December 23, 2005

Diocese fails to stop abuse suits

CALIFORNIA
The Press-Enterprise

By MICHAEL FISHER / The Press-Enterprise

A federal judge on Thursday rejected a request by the Diocese of San Diego to overturn a 2003 state law that permitted hundreds of clergy-abuse lawsuits to be filed statewide.

In his ruling, U.S. District Court Judge William Hayes in San Diego found the law is constitutional and does not infringe on the religious practices of the Roman Catholic Church.

The law, enacted by the Legislature, had temporarily lifted the statute of limitations for child-sexual-abuse lawsuits while specifically allowing institutions to be sued if they protect abusive employees.

The Diocese of San Bernardino backed the challenge to the law.

Officials with the Inland diocese could not be reached for comment Thursday.

Posted by kshaw at December 23, 2005 08:12 AM