Archdiocese of Los Angeles Reaches Historic $880 Million Settlement in Child Sex Abuse Claims
What to Know
- The agreement settles 1,354 child sexual abuse claims, the largest single child sex abuse settlement with a Catholic archdiocese.
- The Archdiocese of Los Angeles settles child sex abuse lawsuits with 1,354 victims for $880 million.
- In 2007, the Archdiocese of LA settled child sex abuse lawsuits with 500 victims for $660 million.
The Archdiocese of Los Angeles has reached a historic $880 million settlement over hundreds of child sex abuse claims. The agreement in principle was announced on Wednesday and settles 1,354 child sexual abuse claims, according to the plaintiffs’ attorney.
The lawsuits were filed under California Assembly Bill 218, which lifted the statute of limitations and provided a three-year window for the revival of civil claims of past sexual abuse involving minors. The settlement is for remaining claims filed against the Archdiocese under the bill passed in 2019.
Reaction from Victims’ Attorney and Archbishop
“The massive amount of this settlement reflects the amount of grievous harm done to vulnerable children and the decades of neglect, complicity, and cover-up by the Archdiocese which allowed known serial predators to inflict this harm. I encourage other religious institutions within the Catholic Church to meet their responsibilities and take accountability,” said victims’ attorney Morgan A. Stewart.
Archbishop José H. Gomez issued a statement on behalf of the archdiocese.
“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,” Archbishop Gomez said.
How the Settlement Will Be Funded
The settlement could signal a close to ongoing legal battles in which the Archdiocese had previously paid hundreds of millions of dollars to victims. To fund the settlement, the archdiocese’s administrative office will draw from reserves, investments, loans, and other Archdiocese assets and payments. No designated donations to parishes or schools will be used to finance the settlement, the archdiocese said in a statement issued after the settlement announcement.
Conclusion
The $880 million settlement is a significant step towards providing justice for the victims of child sex abuse within the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. It is a testament to the courage and perseverance of the victims and their attorneys in seeking justice. The settlement also highlights the need for the Catholic Church to take responsibility for its role in enabling and cover-up of sexual abuse within its institutions.
FAQs
Q: How much did the Archdiocese of Los Angeles settle child sex abuse lawsuits with in 2007?
A: The Archdiocese of LA settled child sex abuse lawsuits with 500 victims for $660 million in 2007.
Q: How many child sexual abuse claims were settled in the recent agreement?
A: The agreement settles 1,354 child sexual abuse claims.
Q: How will the settlement be funded?
A: The settlement will be funded by the archdiocese’s administrative office, drawing from reserves, investments, loans, and other Archdiocese assets and payments. No designated donations to parishes or schools will be used to finance the settlement.
