Church of Latter Day Saints Says Sex Abuse Cases May be Resolved in Mediation

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints seeks to delay a hearing on a petition for centralization of lawsuits accusing it of covering up the sexual abuse of minor congregants, noting there is a scheduled mediation that, according to the church, may resolve most of the actions.

In a March 7 motion filed before the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation, the church sought a continuation from March 27 to May 29, which is the JPML’s next scheduled hearing session.

“Good cause exists for this relief due to a previously scheduled April 10 mediation between the Church …