Priests object to ruling allowing abuse lawsuits

IN A letter read at Catholic churches throughout California, priests have challenged a new state law they believe will bring a flood of sexual abuse lawsuits seeking millions of dollars.

Starting January 1, the statute of limitations on the filing of molestation lawsuits will be lifted for one year. Catholic officials intend to contest the new law in court.

Parishioners at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Angels in Los Angeles said the church should not balk at paying damages to victims of sexual abuse.

"I think what they need to do now is pay and apologise," said Ben Carlo, who attended Mass with his wife and 5-year-old son on Sunday.

The letter was drafted by the 12 bishops in the state.

"We anticipate that new lawsuits, some involving very old allegations, will be filed against dioceses in California," the letter said.

In Los Angeles, it was read to thousands of parishioners at the new cathedral by Cardinal Roger Mahony. Many applauded after he finished.

Outside the cathedral, about 10 protesters representing sexual abuse victims said the bishops should support the new law, not challenge it.

"We think it's inappropriate, especially in view of the terrible revelations in Boston," said Mary Jane McGraw, referring to the release last week of documents describing sexual abuse in the Boston archdiocese.

In San Francisco, parishioners at Cathedral of St Mary of the Assumption received a copy of the letter inside the day's programme.

"At least the church is conscious about it. I think it's important to recognise the mistake, not just sweep it under the rug," Alex Liu said as he left the cathedral. Under current law, victims of childhood sexual abuse have to file lawsuits by their 26th birthday or within three years of discovering emotional problems linked to childhood molestation.

The new law would lift those restrictions in cases against churches or other institutions that continued to employ known molesters who went on to abuse other victims.