Portland diocese reaches settlement with survivors whose clergy abuse lawsuits lost legal standing

The Diocese of Portland, Maine, has reached financial settlements with clergy sexual abuse survivors whose lawsuits could no longer move forward following a ruling by the state’s highest court.

The Maine Supreme Judicial Court ruled in January 2025 that a law eliminating the statute of limitations for civil childhood sexual abuse claims could not revive claims already barred, leaving survivors included in the diocese’s new agreements unable to move forward with their lawsuits, according to an Aug. 3 report from WMTW, an ABC affiliate.

Portland Bishop James Ruggieri announced the agreements in a July 30 statement, saying the diocese chose to act even though the claims no longer had legal standing.

“The diocese recognizes that the harm caused by sexual abuse is not erased with time,” Bishop Ruggieri wrote, adding that the diocese still wanted “to respond with compassion.”

The lawsuits alleged sexual abuse by Catholic priests between 1954 and 1988, the outlet reported. 

Through negotiations with survivors’ attorneys, the diocese reached financial resolutions with what the bishop described as “many people” affected by the court ruling. The exact number has not been disclosed as attorneys for the survivors told WMTW8 they were still determining which details could be made public.

“The diocese will continue,” Bishop Ruggieri wrote in the statement, “as it has for decades, to dedicate resources to reviewing and investigating every report, regardless of when the alleged misconduct occurred, and to offering counseling and support services to those who come forward.”

The bishop said the agreements provide a tangible means for the diocese to respond to those affected. 

“This is intended to acknowledge,” he wrote, “in a tangible way, consistent with our resources and obligations, the seriousness of what has been reported and the lasting impact of abuse.”

Bishop Ruggieri said the compensation will come from funds previously designated for liability claims, rather than donations to the Catholic Appeal.