The Archdiocese of Los Angeles has agreed to pay a total of $880 million to victims of clergy sexual abuse, marking the largest single child sex abuse settlement with a Catholic archdiocese. The settlement comes after years of litigation against the archdiocese, with 1,353 people alleging that they suffered horrific abuse at the hands of local Catholic priests. Archbishop José H. Gomez expressed his apologies for the incidents and hopes that the settlement will provide some measure of healing for the victims. The Plaintiffs’ Liaison Committee stated that while money cannot replace what was taken from the victims, there is justice in accountability.
Under the terms of the settlement, the plaintiffs will engage in a process to allocate the settlement among themselves, which will not involve the archdiocese. The settlement will be funded by archdiocese investments, reserves, bank financing, and other assets. Additionally, certain religious orders and other entities named in the litigation will also contribute to cover some of the settlement costs. The settlement is seen as a step towards providing just compensation to survivor-victims of past abuses within the Catholic Church, with Attorney Morgan Stewart calling it the largest single child sex abuse settlement with a Catholic archdiocese.
The agreement in principle with the Archdiocese of Los Angeles is the culmination of months of negotiations between the victims’ attorneys and the archdiocese. The settlement aims to bring closure to the survivors who have suffered for decades following the abuse. Attorney Morgan Stewart emphasized the urgency of resolving the settlement due to the aging of survivors and those with knowledge of the abuse within the church. The resolution of the settlement will likely provide a sense of justice and accountability for the victims who have suffered in silence for so long.
The archdiocese has previously paid $740 million in various settlements related to clergy sexual abuse and has committed to taking steps to better protect its church members in the future. With this additional settlement, the total payout by the Archdiocese of Los Angeles to victims of clergy sexual abuse will exceed $1.5 billion. The settlement signals a significant step towards addressing the harm caused to survivors and holding accountable those responsible for the abuses. It also underscores the commitment of the archdiocese to acknowledging the wrongdoing and providing restitution to those who have suffered at the hands of clergy members.
Despite the large financial settlement, it is recognized that no amount of money can fully compensate the victims for the trauma and suffering they have endured. The Archdiocese of Los Angeles continues to work towards healing and reconciliation with those who have been harmed by clergy sexual abuse in the past. The settlement represents a significant effort to acknowledge the pain and suffering of the survivors and provide a measure of justice and accountability for the abuses that occurred. It reflects a commitment to transparency, accountability, and restitution on the part of the archdiocese in addressing the systemic issues of clergy sexual abuse within the Catholic Church.
Overall, the $880 million settlement by the Archdiocese of Los Angeles with victims of clergy sexual abuse is a significant step towards addressing the long-standing issue of abuse within the Catholic Church. The settlement represents a major financial commitment by the archdiocese to provide compensation to survivors and acknowledge the harm caused by clergy members. While the settlement cannot fully erase the suffering of the victims, it serves as a meaningful step towards healing and justice. The Archdiocese’s commitment to accountability, transparency, and restitution is evident in this settlement, which aims to bring closure and restitution to those who have experienced the devastating effects of clergy sexual abuse.
