The San Francisco archdiocese announced a $395 million settlement on Monday with more than 500 people who claim clergy in the California jurisdiction sexually abused them.
San Francisco Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone said the church acknowledges the harm and suffering caused to the victims.
The statute of limitations had expired on many of the cases, but California passed a law in 2019 giving complainants an extra three-year window to seek charges. The settlement must still be approved by an association of abuse victims and a judge.
The archdiocese had been facing a growing number of lawsuits and allegations of sexual abuse by clergy in recent years. In 2020, a report from the California Legislature found that at least 1,100 victims of priest abuse had been identified, with the majority being boys.
The report also found that the Catholic Church in California had paid out over $1.5 billion to settle abuse claims since 2004. The latest settlement brings the total to over $2.5 billion.
The settlement is a significant step forward for the victims, who have waited decades for justice.
Victims' advocates have long called for greater accountability and transparency from the Catholic Church, and some have criticized the settlement for not including harsher penalties for the perpetrators.
However, supporters of the settlement argue that it provides much-needed compensation and support to the victims, while also holding the church accountable for its actions.
The settlement includes a provision for an independent review board to oversee the handling of future abuse allegations. The board will be composed of experts in law, social work, and psychology.
The review board will also have the authority to conduct investigations and make recommendations for reform within the archdiocese.
The settlement will be paid for through a combination of donations and financial restructuring within the archdiocese.
Cordileone said the church will work to rebuild trust with the community and ensure that such abuse does not happen again.
Key Facts:
- $395 million settlement
- Over 500 victims
- Many victims were minors
- Cases date back decades
- California passed a law giving complainants an extra three-year window to seek charges
- Settlement must still be approved by a judge and an association of abuse victims
- Archdiocese has paid out over $2.5 billion in abuse claims since 2004
The Catholic Church in the Philippines has also faced numerous allegations of sexual abuse by clergy, with many victims coming forward in recent years. The church has implemented various reforms and measures to address the issue, including the establishment of an independent review board to handle abuse allegations.
The latest settlement in San Francisco serves as a reminder of the need for greater accountability and transparency from the Catholic Church, particularly in its handling of abuse allegations.