Catholic churches here in Southern California are facing a new round of lawsuits. They're connected to the state's change to the statute of limitations.
A total of 120 former alter boys alleging abuse by Catholic clergy are suing the church. Sixty of these cases are against the Diocese of San Diego, the others involve churches in Los Angeles and Northern California.
Some of the alleged victims tried to negotiate a settlement directly with the Catholic church's independent settlement fund.
The church set up the fund after California law removed the statute of limitations that had prevented adults from suing over childhood abuse.
The first 20 lawsuits, grouped into six complaints, will be filed in San Diego Superior Court today on behalf of 20 victims of priest sexual abuse within the Diocese of San Diego.
The lawsuits allege that six priests sexually abused the victims while they were serving as altar boys or during other church activities.