Clergy could be exposed to more sex abuse lawsuits

CALIFORNIA
KGO

[with video]

Carolyn Tyler

SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) — A precedent-setting case being held in front of California’s highest court could expose the Roman Catholic Diocese to more sex abuse lawsuits.

The case is examining the state’s statute of limitations that put time limits on when plaintiffs can file civil suits. There were conflicting lower court rulings on this specific case, so the Diocese of Oakland asked the Supreme Court to step in.

Tim Lennon says he was abused by a Roman Catholic priest when he was a young boy, but it took him 30 years to come forward.

“This causes severe injury that have a lifelong effect, crippling injury and sometimes, you don’t understand that until decades later,” he told ABC7.

Note: This is an Abuse Tracker excerpt. Click the title to view the full text of the original article. If the original article is no longer available, see our News Archive.