The Roman Catholic Diocese of Burlington is facing at least three more lawsuits alleging sexual abuse by Vermont priests. But William O’Brien, a lawyer for the diocese, says the church will argue that the suits have no merit because the allegations date back to the 1970s.
O’Brien says the law requires that a lawsuit be filed within six years of the date of the alleged incidents or six years from the date that the plaintiff realizes they are suffering from the effects of the abuse.
In the past year the diocese has paid to settle several lawsuits against Vermont priests, including one settlement in which the plaintiff was paid $150,000.