Philadelphia Archdiocese Says Abuse Victims Waited Too Long to Sue
By David B. Caruso Associated Press Writer
Published: Jul 8, 2004
PHILADELPHIA (AP) - A lawyer for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia said victims abused by Roman Catholic clergy decades ago missed their chance to sue the church, even if their allegations of rape and molestation are true.
C. Clark Hodgson Jr. on Thursday called the abuse "tragic" but said faded memories and the deaths of witnesses, including 10 of the accused priests, would make it impossible for the church to defend itself now.
Citing the state's statute of limitations, the archdiocese asked Judge Arnold New to dismiss almost two dozen lawsuits filed by people who alleged they were molested by priests or a nun since the 1950s.
Hodgson chided the alleged victims for not hiring attorneys sooner.
"They were required to proceed with due diligence; they did not," Hodgson said. "They were required to proceed with an investigation; they did not."
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