LA Archdiocese Settles $880M with Clergy Abuse Victims

LA Archdiocese Settles $880M with Clergy Abuse Victims

Introduction

The Archdiocese of Los Angeles has agreed to pay $880 million to settle claims of clergy sexual abuse spanning several decades, marking one of the largest single settlements of its kind in the United States.

This agreement comes after months of negotiations between attorneys representing 1,353 survivors and the archdiocese. The settlement covers abuse allegations that have led to over a quarter-century of litigation against the country’s most populous archdiocese.

The plaintiffs, who accuse local Catholic priests of horrific abuse, will receive compensation as part of an arrangement overseen by a process independent of the archdiocese. The archdiocese has previously paid $740 million in settlements to victims, meaning this latest settlement will push the total payout to over $1.5 billion.

In a statement, Archbishop of Los Angeles expressed deep regret for the incidents, saying, “I am sorry for every one of these incidents, from the bottom of my heart,” and hoped the settlement would bring some healing to the survivors. He added that he believed the agreement was a fair resolution to the claims.

While acknowledging that no amount of money could undo the harm done, attorneys representing the plaintiffs emphasized the justice in holding the church accountable. They noted that the survivors had endured decades of suffering, with many survivors passing away before seeing justice.

This settlement, which will be financed through archdiocese investments, reserves, bank financing, and other assets, also includes contributions from certain religious orders and parties named in the litigation. The settlement represents a significant step toward resolving the legacy of clergy sexual abuse in the Catholic Church.