In what could be the final chapter in a long legal battle, the Archdiocese of Los Angeles has agreed to pay $880 million to victims of clergy sexual abuse, making it the largest settlement involving the Catholic Church. This settlement, reached after months of negotiations, brings the total payout from the archdiocese to over $1.5 billion. The agreement involves 1,353 people who suffered abuse at the hands of Catholic priests dating back decades.
The settlement was approved by Archbishop José H. Gomez and will be funded by archdiocese investments, reserves, financing, and assets. The settlement also requires other parties named in the litigation to contribute to the cost. The archdiocese has implemented strict background check and reporting requirements, as well as training programs, to protect young people from future abuse.
The settlement was seen as a measure of justice for the survivors of abuse, many of whom have died or suffered for decades. The legal battle against the archdiocese has spanned over a quarter-century, with allegations of mishandling abuse cases by church leaders. The settlement comes after a change in state law in 2019 allowed more time for adults to file lawsuits over childhood abuse, resulting in a new wave of litigation against the church.
Despite the reforms and apologies from the archdiocese, victims have continued to come forward with decades-old claims. The settlement aims to provide some measure of healing for the survivors while also allowing the archdiocese to continue its ministries. The church has faced financial challenges due to these settlements, with many Catholic dioceses filing for bankruptcy. The settlement represents a milestone in holding the church accountable for the abuse suffered by survivors.
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