Archbishop Phillip Aspinall, who has been lobbying for the removal of the time limit since 2005, released a statement claiming the laws were unfair and "harsh". He said that many other church leaders across different denominations support his initiative in attempting to have the laws changed.

Aspinall said in the statement to AAP: "It can take victims many years before they confront the abuse that has happened to them and seek healing and justice.

"The rights of child sexual abuse victims should not be undermined because they have not brought their case forward in a given time."

Aspinall added that, with any change in laws, he does not believe victims who have already had their cases heard would have the foundations to have them heard again.

"I am not a lawyer, but I do not think any such change could affect cases already dealt with by the courts or settled by binding mediation agreements," he said.

The law, which requires victims to launch legal action by the age of 21, has prevented numerous alleged victims of abuse in the church claiming compensation.

- Angela Priestley