The Roman Catholic church could face hundreds more sexual-abuse lawsuits next month when a new California law lifts the statute of limitations in some molestation cases, state bishops said.
Advocates for victims also said they expect a flood of suits under the new law, which requires that any newly eligible cases be filed in 2003.
"Under those circumstances, it will be difficult, if not impossible, to ascertain the truth," the state's Roman Catholic bishops said in a letter to parishioners.
The Archdiocese of Los Angeles said this week it would challenge the law in court.
Currently, victims of childhood sexual abuse must take action either before their 26th birthday or within three years of discovering emotional problems linked to a childhood molestation.
The new law lifts that limit for lawsuits brought against churches or other institutions that continued to employ known molesters who went on to abuse other victims.
Church officials said the bishop's letter will be read to parishioners throughout California on Sunday.
"We did this to prepare people for this legislation," said Bishop Tod D. Brown of the Diocese of Orange. "It will potentially have very serious consequences. Most people don't even know about it."
The bishops said they worry that a new wave of lawsuits will drain money used for education and social services.
The letter also pledged that the church would seek to help victims of abuse and noted the reforms adopted by U.S. bishops in the past year.
One victims' rights advocate complained that the letter shortchanges sexual abuse victims.
"What the church is trying to do is a shameless public-relations spin designed to bring sympathy to the church," said Los Angeles attorney Raymond P. Boucher, who said he has 100 clients who plan to sue after the new law takes effect.