Larred
12-03-2004, 03:27 PM
Hope this is the right place for this, if not feel free to move...
http://www.cnn.com/2004/LAW/12/03/church.abuse/index.html
California diocese settles clergy sexual abuse cases
Sources say payout will be largest in scandal's history
From Drew Griffin
CNN
LOS ANGELES, California (CNN) -- The Diocese of Orange in Southern California and 87 victims of clergy sexual abuse late Thursday announced a settlement in what sources told CNN will be the largest payout in the history of the Catholic Church abuse scandal.
"I am pleased to announce ... a settlement that is both fair and compassionate," said Tod Brown, the bishop of Orange County. "We will be able to fairly compensate the victims in a way that allows our church to continue its ministry of service to the entire community."
Precise details of the agreement will not be available until all parties have signed the settlement, a joint statement from the diocese and the victims said, but sources close to the agreement said it will exceed the $85 million settlement against the Archdiocese of Boston in a similar case. The sources said the settlement will be finalized in a week.
According to the statement, exact terms of the settlement are still being worked out, including the amount to be paid out to each victim.
"No amount of money will replace their lost childhood and teenage years, but this settlement will give them all the ability and opportunity to conclude their claims and help them to move forward with their lives," said lead victims' attorney Ray Boucher.
Along with the financial aspects of the settlement came an apology.
"I intend to write a letter to each victim personally seeking forgiveness and reconciliation and let me once again extend on behalf of the Diocese of Orange and myself a sincere apology and request heartfelt hope for reconciliation and healing," Brown said.
Some of the victims -- people who were molested by 43 Catholic priests, nuns, teachers, even a choir director -- hugged and thanked the bishop for acknowledging their pain.
"For once, them coming in tonight and settling these cases and apologizing ... I mean, I couldn't stop crying," said David Guerrero, one of the abuse victims.
"I think it reflects the point that all these people ever wanted was to be believed and tonight what you have is a demonstration, a concrete demonstration by him (Brown) that it did happen and he's sorry," said victims' attorney John Manly.
Another victim, Joelle Casteix, said the money is secondary. According to her, the most important aspect of settlement are court documents -- detailing the abuse -- that will be released.
"People tend to think that perhaps things aren't as bad as it's portrayed in the press," she said. "But the truth is, it's a hundred times worse than anyone ever imagined and when those documents get out it will be a very great day for survivors and a very interesting day for the Catholic Church."
http://www.cnn.com/2004/LAW/12/03/church.abuse/index.html
California diocese settles clergy sexual abuse cases
Sources say payout will be largest in scandal's history
From Drew Griffin
CNN
LOS ANGELES, California (CNN) -- The Diocese of Orange in Southern California and 87 victims of clergy sexual abuse late Thursday announced a settlement in what sources told CNN will be the largest payout in the history of the Catholic Church abuse scandal.
"I am pleased to announce ... a settlement that is both fair and compassionate," said Tod Brown, the bishop of Orange County. "We will be able to fairly compensate the victims in a way that allows our church to continue its ministry of service to the entire community."
Precise details of the agreement will not be available until all parties have signed the settlement, a joint statement from the diocese and the victims said, but sources close to the agreement said it will exceed the $85 million settlement against the Archdiocese of Boston in a similar case. The sources said the settlement will be finalized in a week.
According to the statement, exact terms of the settlement are still being worked out, including the amount to be paid out to each victim.
"No amount of money will replace their lost childhood and teenage years, but this settlement will give them all the ability and opportunity to conclude their claims and help them to move forward with their lives," said lead victims' attorney Ray Boucher.
Along with the financial aspects of the settlement came an apology.
"I intend to write a letter to each victim personally seeking forgiveness and reconciliation and let me once again extend on behalf of the Diocese of Orange and myself a sincere apology and request heartfelt hope for reconciliation and healing," Brown said.
Some of the victims -- people who were molested by 43 Catholic priests, nuns, teachers, even a choir director -- hugged and thanked the bishop for acknowledging their pain.
"For once, them coming in tonight and settling these cases and apologizing ... I mean, I couldn't stop crying," said David Guerrero, one of the abuse victims.
"I think it reflects the point that all these people ever wanted was to be believed and tonight what you have is a demonstration, a concrete demonstration by him (Brown) that it did happen and he's sorry," said victims' attorney John Manly.
Another victim, Joelle Casteix, said the money is secondary. According to her, the most important aspect of settlement are court documents -- detailing the abuse -- that will be released.
"People tend to think that perhaps things aren't as bad as it's portrayed in the press," she said. "But the truth is, it's a hundred times worse than anyone ever imagined and when those documents get out it will be a very great day for survivors and a very interesting day for the Catholic Church."