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Massachusetts Catholic diocese settles abuse claims in arbitration

By Bernard Hibbitts (editor) and University of Pittsburgh School of Law students.

[JURIST] The Roman Catholic Diocese of Springfield, Massachusetts announced Tuesday that it has settled 59 sexual abuse claims against the church through voluntary arbitration. The total amount for the settlements was $4.5 million with individual awards ranging from $5,000 to $200,000 for incidents of abuse from 1948 to 1986. Springfield bishop Timothy McDonnell said of the agreements: It's a terrible thing for anyone to suffer sexual abuse, but even more so for a child. The after effects impact the person's whole life. My prayer is that a small step toward healing takes place through these settlements. I apologize to all who have been hurt. To date, the diocese says it has paid out a total of $12.5 million to those allegedly abused by its clergy, and it says that none of the alleged abusers are still associated with the church. In August the Roman Catholic Diocese of Providence reached a settlement in four abuse suits. In September 2007, the Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh announced the creation of a $1.25 million fund, and the Catholic Diocese of San Diego announced an agreement to pay $198.1 million to settle claims of sexual abuse by their clergy. A Los Angeles Superior Court in July 2007 approved a $660 million settlement between the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Los Angeles and plaintiffs in 508 outstanding clergy sex abuse lawsuits. In January 2007, the Catholic Diocese of Spokane agreed to settle molestation claims against its own priests for $48 million as part of its Chapter 11 bankruptcy reorganization plan.

Full post as published by JURIST - The Paper Chase on December 03, 2008 (boomark / email).