The Archdiocese of Los Angeles has reached a historic $880 million settlement over 1,354 child sex abuse claims, making it the largest single settlement with a Catholic archdiocese. The lawsuits were filed under California Assembly Bill 218, which lifted the statute of limitations and allowed for civil claims of past sexual abuse involving minors. The settlement covers remaining claims filed against the Archdiocese under the bill passed in 2019.
The settlement reflects the harm done to vulnerable children and the negligence, complicity, and cover-up by the Archdiocese that allowed known predators to abuse victims. Archbishop José H. Gomez expressed regret for the incidents and hoped the settlement would bring healing to the survivors. The settlement will provide just compensation to the victims while allowing the Archdiocese to continue its ministries and social programs.
The settlement could bring an end to ongoing legal battles, as the Archdiocese had previously paid hundreds of millions of dollars to victims in 2007. The financial responsibility for the recent settlement will fall on the archdiocese’s administrative office, drawing from reserves, investments, loans, and other assets. No designated donations to parishes or schools will be used to finance the settlement, as confirmed by the archdiocese in a statement issued after the settlement announcement.
Photo credit
www.nbcnews.com