Statutes of limitations

The Latest

Father Marko Rupnik

Alleged victims of Rupnik have hopeful expectations of Pope Francis’ decision

Oct 31, 2023

By Almudena Martínez-Bordiú

The former religious sisters said they were “very surprised” by a statement from the Holy See that the statute of... Read more

Father Marko Rupnik, SJ.

Vatican: Pope Francis has lifted the statute of limitations on Rupnik case

Oct 27, 2023

By Courtney Mares

The Vatican announced Friday that Pope Francis has decided to lift the statute of limitations in the case of Father... Read more

Cardinal Sean O'Malley briefs reporters during a Vatican abuse summit.

Boston Archdiocese opposes bill eliminating time limits for child sex abuse claims

Oct 5, 2023

By Matt McDonald

The current bill being considered by the Legislature would eliminate the time limit and allow lawsuits at any time against... Read more

Maryland state capital building, Annapolis. Via Shutterstock.

Maryland Senate passes bill to end statute of limitations for child sex abuse lawsuits

Mar 20, 2023

By Tyler Arnold

The bill, sponsored by Maryland state Sen. William C. Smith, D-Montgomery, passed the Senate in a 42-5 vote. Read more

Cathedral of St. Eugene in Santa Rosa, CA.

Citing abuse lawsuits, California’s smallest diocese files for bankruptcy

Mar 14, 2023

By Kevin J. Jones

The Catholic Diocese of Santa Rosa in northern California said on Monday that it will file for bankruptcy due to... Read more

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Judge upholds Maine law on retroactive abuse lawsuits, says Catholic diocese challenge has a point

Feb 15, 2023

By Kevin J. Jones

The judge acknowledged that attorneys for the Catholic Diocese of Portland raised “serious” constitutional concerns in their legal challenge. Read more

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San Diego Diocese may file for bankruptcy amid abuse claims

Feb 14, 2023

By Jonah McKeown

At issue, Cardinal Robert McElroy said, is a mounting number of abuse claims filed under a three-year window opened by... Read more

The Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in Los Angeles.

California Catholic dioceses ask Supreme Court to hear statute of limitations extension case

May 2, 2022

By Katie Yoder

California Catholic bishops are asking the U.S. Supreme Court to consider a case challenging the state for permitting victims of... Read more

Pennsylvania state capitol

Two-year ‘window’ for abuse lawsuits gets new support in Pennsylvania

Apr 23, 2021

A bill that could expand child sex abuse lawsuits in the state of Pennsylvania has received new support in the... Read more

Mexican bishops call for ending statute of limitations for sex abuse of minors

Jan 15, 2020

The bishops’ conference of Mexico has called on the country’s government to get rid of the statute of limitations in... Read more

California State Capitol.

Abuse lawsuit window opens in California

Jan 2, 2020

A three-year window opened in California Wednesday, allowing lawsuits over childhood sexual abuse that would normally be impeded by the... Read more

Open windows for reporting expected to trigger avalanche of new abuse cases

Dec 4, 2019

Open windows for reporting incidents of child sexual abuse regardless of when they occurred could lead to a wave of... Read more

California state capitol.

California expands statute of limitations for childhood sex abuse

Oct 14, 2019

California Governor Gavin Newsom signed into law on Sunday a measure extending the statute of limitations for childhood sex abuse... Read more

The Santiago Metropolitan Cathedral in Santiago, Chile.

Chile ends statute of limitations for sex crimes with underage victims

Jul 13, 2019

Chile has removed the statute of limitation on sex crimes against children and adolescents, though the new law is not... Read more

New Jersey State House Capitol.

NJ bill would expand window for sex abuse victims to sue

Feb 15, 2019

The New Jersey legislature is considering expanding the legal window to file civil actions for sex abuse against both individual... Read more

Pennsylvania capitol.

Does the Pa. grand jury report mean changes for statutes of limitations?

Aug 17, 2018

By Kevin J. Jones

Following a major grand jury report on past sexual abuse in six Catholic dioceses of Pennsylvania, discussions continue over whether... Read more

Archbishop Wilton Gregory of Atlanta.

Child sex abuse bill unfairly shields public institutions, Atlanta archbishop warns

Mar 12, 2018

The Archbishop of Atlanta released a statement Friday announcing his opposition to a bill in the Georgia legislature that would... Read more