The Archdiocese of Los Angeles has reached a historic settlement of $880 million to resolve more than 1,300 claims of clergy sexual abuse that span several decades. This settlement marks the largest single child sexual abuse settlement ever agreed upon with a Catholic archdiocese, according to attorneys representing the survivors.
Here is what you need to know
This new settlement adds to the Archdiocese’s previous agreements, which had already totaled $740 million in various sexual abuse cases. With this latest payout, the archdiocese’s total compensation for sexual abuse claims now exceeds $1.5 billion, according to the Los Angeles Times.
The agreement was reached following a joint statement from the plaintiffs’ liaison counsel and the archdiocese’s attorney, detailing that the settlement addresses 1,353 claims of childhood sexual abuse. The funds for the settlement will come from the archdiocese’s investments, bank holdings, and other assets.
Acknowledgment of suffering
“While there is no amount of money that can replace what was taken from these 1,353 brave individuals who have suffered in silence for decades, there is justice in accountability,” the plaintiffs’ liaison counsel stated. They expressed gratitude to the archdiocese for acknowledging its failures in handling these cases.
Los Angeles Archbishop José H. Gomez expressed his sorrow over the incidents in a letter to worshippers. “I am sorry for every one of these incidents, from the bottom of my heart. My hope is that this settlement will provide some measure of healing for what these men and women have suffered,” he wrote.
Long-Standing issues
The claims covered by the settlement include allegations dating back to the 1940s, involving acts committed by clergy, laypeople, and religious order priests, as well as clergy from other dioceses serving in the city. The archdiocese, which is the largest Catholic archdiocese in the United States, has faced mounting pressure to address the long-standing issue of sexual abuse within its ranks.
This landmark settlement underscores a significant moment for survivors, as the Archdiocese of Los Angeles continues to confront its troubled history with sexual abuse cases. The hope is that this financial compensation can bring some level of closure and healing for those affected.
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