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Abstract: 

This is the first in a series by Jack Furlong assessing the legal reaction to the sexual abuse crisis in the Catholic Church. This series is inspired by the recent spate of litigation in California following its temporary raising of the statute of limitations. This installment discuses the basis of the issue. The next will explain why raising a statute of limitations is harmful, and an overview of the nature and scope of the problem of child sexual abuse over the last 50 years. Perhaps no scandal has raised the bar for community outrage more than the specter of priests abusing their positions of trust by having sex with those in their charge. Since canon law prohibits any form of sexual contact between priest and parishioner or student, every scenario reported brings more opprobrium on the church and its supporters.

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Affiliations:  1: certified criminal trial attorney.