There was an interesting legal development at the hands of the Maine Supreme Court that resulted in the inability to file claims regarding childhood sexual abuse cases, which often happened decades after the assault.

According to reports, the state's high court struck down a state law that removed the statute of limitations for filing such legal actions. 

The ruling from the Maine Supreme Court was the conclusion of a years-long legal battle, according to the reports.

The Roman Catholic Bishop of Portland was the target of at least a dozen lawsuits from people who claimed they were sexually assaulted as children, and the diocese fought back, eventually winning out.

What happened?

Some of the claims from the dozen or so plaintiffs who say they were sexually victimized by the clergy of the church reached as far back as the 1950s, creating a complicated legal mess on both sides.

The lawsuits were only possible thanks to a law passed by Maine lawmakers that removed the statute of limitations for filing those types of lawsuits. That law was passed in 2021.

The outlet noted:

In a lengthy opinion released this week, the court acknowledged the long-lasting consequences of child sexual abuse but said the 2021 statute in question was outside the state Legislature's authority.

Not surprisingly, the Catholic diocese in the state mounted its own legal challenge against the law, ultimately arguing that it was unconstitutional.

The attorney for about 100 victims who decided to take legal actions, Attorney Michael Bigos, released a statement in the wake of the Maine Supreme Court ultimately siding with the diocese.

"Of course, there is no statute of limitations on the enduring pain caused by childhood sexual abuse," Bigos said. "These survivors deserve accountability from those that enabled child sex abuse and to receive long overdue justice."

The church responds

Rev. James Ruggieri, bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Portland, also released a statement in which he assured potential victims that resources would be dedicated to the issue.

"The reprehensible conduct of certain clergy during that era represents a profoundly painful time that still has effects we all experience today," Ruggieri said.

He added, "A degree of uncertainty still remains, and in the coming days, weeks and months, in consultation with diocesan, parish and lay advisers, I will prayerfully assess the path forward for the diocese. I am hopeful that this decision will allow us as a diocese to commit to strengthening the core mission of the Church in Maine with even greater humility and devotion."

Lawyers for clients now affected by the ruling will reportedly pivot to litigating the church's alleged "decades of cover-ups."