Judge rules on abuse claims against Milwaukee Archdiocese

MILWAUKEE (AP) -- A federal judge is allowing two claims to go forward against the Archdiocese of Milwaukee for alleged sexual abuse by clergy.

But U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Susan Kelley on Thursday dismissed a third claim because that person already had entered into a settlement.

Kelley is allowing two claims to stand. The Archdiocese argued they were filed beyond the statute of limitations.

The Archdiocese filed for bankruptcy protection last year, saying pending sex-abuse lawsuits could leave it in debt. About 570 people filed restitution claims by the Feb. 1 deadline.

The Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP) estimates if the Archdiocese's position had been successful on the statute of limitations argument, 95 percent of the cases could have been ultimately dismissed.