The Archdiocese of Los Angeles has reached a monumental agreement to pay $880 million to victims of clergy sexual abuse, marking what is believed to be the largest single settlement involving a Catholic archdiocese in the United States. This settlement addresses decades-old claims of abuse, affecting over 1,300 individuals.
The agreement was announced on Wednesday, October 16, following months of negotiations. Archbishop José H. Gomez expressed his deep remorse, stating, "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."
The settlement covers allegations from 1,353 victims who endured abuse at the hands of local Catholic priests. Lawyers representing the victims acknowledged that while no amount of money can undo the damage, this resolution holds the archdiocese accountable for its past failures.
With this agreement, the total compensation paid by the Archdiocese of Los Angeles to abuse survivors now exceeds $1.5 billion, including a previous $740 million in various settlements. Attorney Morgan Stewart, who led the negotiations, described the settlement as the largest of its kind involving a Catholic archdiocese.
The settlement funds will be distributed through a process independent of the archdiocese. The payout will be covered by the archdiocese's investments, reserves, bank financing, and contributions from religious orders named in the litigation. Many survivors, some of whom have passed away, have endured decades of suffering. Stewart emphasized that it was crucial to resolve the matter now, as both survivors and witnesses to the abuse are aging.
This landmark settlement brings an end to 25 years of litigation, ensuring justice and compensation for the victims of these horrific crimes.
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