The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Los Angeles has reached a historic $880 million settlement with 1,353 alleged victims who accused priests of abusing them as children. This is the largest payout by a US diocese over decades-old abuse claims that have deeply impacted the church globally. Archbishop Jose H. Gomez expressed sorrow for the abuse and hopes the settlement will bring healing to the survivors.
The settlement comes after years of litigation and the enactment of a California law allowing new lawsuits related to past cases of sexual abuse. Other large Catholic organizations in California have sought bankruptcy protection to resolve similar abuse claims, but the Los Angeles Archdiocese was able to settle without filing for bankruptcy. The archdiocese plans to pay victims from cash reserves, investments, loans, and contributions from other religious organizations named in lawsuits, without impacting its mission of serving the community.
Lawyers for both the archdiocese and the victims expressed gratitude to survivors for coming forward and ensuring accountability for the abuse. The Catholic Church globally has faced numerous scandals related to child sexual abuse, with the US being one of the most severely affected areas. The Boston Globe’s investigation in 2002 revealed the extensive abuse in the Boston diocese, leading to out-of-court settlements and efforts for accountability within the church. The settlement in Los Angeles marks a significant step towards justice for the survivors of abuse within the Catholic Church.
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