Sex abuse claims in the Catholic Church in Maine

Maine enacted legislation effective February 2023 that permanently eliminated the civil statute of limitations for childhood sexual abuse claims. This means Maine survivors — including survivors of Catholic clergy abuse — can file civil lawsuits regardless of when the abuse occurred and regardless of how old the survivor is. There is no deadline. The Diocese of Portland (Maine) has published a credibly accused clergy list. No Maine diocese has filed for bankruptcy as of February 2026. Maine survivors who have been told their claims are too old should know that, as of February 2023, there is no time bar for childhood sexual abuse civil claims in Maine.