Peoria, Ill., Feb 10, 2009 / 01:44 am
Following a ruling in Illinois’ Third District Appellate Court that could reinstate dismissed sexual abuse cases, Bishop of Peoria Daniel R. Jenky warned that the decision makes the diocese’s legal position even more difficult and voiced his concern that the Catholic Church “in effect, no longer enjoys equal justice under the law.”
The district court in January reversed a Peoria County court’s ruling that alleged victims of clerical sexual abuse had filed lawsuits against the diocese after each of them was older than thirty years of age.
Lawyers for the diocese and the accused priests argued that the deadline for filing the lawsuits had expired according to state law, Pantagraph.com reports.
In a weekend message to priests, deacons, religious and faithful of the Diocese of Peoria, Bishop Jenky discussed the legal cases.