The Archdiocese of Los Angeles has reached a monumental $880 million settlement over 1,354 child sexual abuse claims. This settlement is the largest single child sex abuse settlement involving a Catholic archdiocese and was made possible by California Assembly Bill 218, which lifted the statute of limitations on civil claims of past sexual abuse involving minors. The lawsuits were filed under this bill, which provided a three-year window for victims to seek justice for the harm inflicted upon them by serial predators within the Archdiocese.
Attorney Morgan A. Stewart, a member of the Plaintiffs’ Liaison Committee, expressed the gravity of the harm done to vulnerable children over decades of neglect, complicity, and cover-up by the Archdiocese. Stewart encouraged other religious institutions within the Catholic Church to take accountability for similar instances of abuse. Archbishop José H. Gomez issued a statement on behalf of the archdiocese apologizing for the incidents and expressing hope that the settlement would provide some measure of healing for the survivors of past abuses. He emphasized the importance of continuing the archdiocese’s ministries and social programs serving the poor and vulnerable in their communities.
The settlement signifies a potential resolution to ongoing legal battles that the archdiocese has faced, including a previous settlement in 2007 where the archdiocese paid $660 million to 500 victims of child sex abuse. The financial responsibility for the recent settlement will fall on the archdiocese’s administrative office, drawing from reserves, investments, loans, and other assets. This significant financial compensation aims to provide justice and healing to survivor-victims of past abuses while enabling the Archdiocese to continue its important work in serving the faithful and vulnerable populations within their communities.
The massive settlement amount reflects the profound harm suffered by vulnerable children at the hands of known serial predators, as well as the long history of neglect, complicity, and cover-up within the Archdiocese. Attorney Stewart emphasized the importance of holding religious institutions accountable for their actions and ensuring justice for the victims. Archbishop Gomez’s apology and hope for healing underscore the importance of acknowledging the past abuses and working towards a brighter future for those affected. This settlement marks a significant moment in the legal battles faced by the Archdiocese of Los Angeles and sets a precedent for accountability and justice in cases of child sexual abuse.
Overall, the $880 million settlement reached by the Archdiocese of Los Angeles over 1,354 child sexual abuse claims represents a historic moment in seeking justice and accountability for past abuses within the Catholic Church. The financial compensation provided to survivor-victims aims to offer healing and closure while enabling the archdiocese to continue its vital work in serving the faithful and vulnerable communities. This settlement underscores the importance of holding institutions accountable for past wrongs and working towards a future of transparency, healing, and justice for all those affected by child sexual abuse.
