LOUISVILLE — A judge ruled Wednesday to consolidate the more than 100 lawsuits against the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Louisville for a decision on whether such suits should be sealed.

        In 105 lawsuits filed in Jefferson Circuit Court since mid-April, plaintiffs allege they were sexually abused by priests or archdiocese employees when they were children. They claim the archdiocese was aware of the abuse, but did not take appropriate disciplinary action, according to the suits.

        Jefferson Circuit Judge James M. Shake also ruled that the Courier-Journal must be notified if any motions to seal suits are filed so the newspaper may attempt to gain access to the suits.

        At issue is the constitutionality of a 1998 state law calling for lawsuits containing allegations of childhood sexual abuse more than five years old to be sealed. Lawyers for the plaintiffs and the Courier-Journal have claimed the law is unconstitutional. A hearing on the matter is June 14.

        Jon Fleischaker, attorney for the Courier-Journal, said he believes both sides are pleased Judge Shake consolidated the cases to determine the constitutionality issue.

        “The public has an immense interest in what's going on,” Mr. Fleischaker said.

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