Massachusetts Group Seeks to Extend Time Sex Abuse Victims Can Sue

Child welfare advocates are calling on the head of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Boston to back legislation that would extend the time victims of childhood sexual abuse could file lawsuits.

The open letter to Cardinal Sean O’Malley came days after he announced a major effort by Pope Francis to explore ways the church can protect children from abuse and to care for victims.

The Vatican commission marks the Catholic church’s first comprehensive effort to address a worldwide scandal that exploded in 2002 in Boston.

The letter came Sunday from a group of advocates led by Massachusetts Citizens for Children.

Current state law applies to all abuse cases and is not limited to church-related incidents.

An archdiocese spokesman tells The Boston Globe the church remains committed to protecting children.