Historic Payout Marks Largest Single Settlement with a Catholic Archdiocese

The Archdiocese of Los Angeles has reached a landmark agreement to pay $880 million to victims of clergy sexual abuse, marking what attorneys call the largest single child sex abuse settlement with a Catholic archdiocese. This significant development caps a quarter-century of litigation against the most populous archdiocese in the United States, bringing a measure of closure to over a thousand survivors.

5 Key Points

  • Archdiocese of Los Angeles agrees to pay $880 million to 1,353 victims of clergy sexual abuse.
  • Settlement is reportedly the largest single payout by a Catholic archdiocese for child sex abuse cases.
  • The total payout by the archdiocese now exceeds $1.5 billion, including previous settlements.
  • Archbishop José H. Gomez expresses deep remorse for the abuse incidents.
  • Settlement to be funded through archdiocese investments, reserves, bank financing, and other assets.

A Landmark Settlement for Abuse Survivors

On October 17, 2024, the Archdiocese of Los Angeles announced an agreement to pay $880 million to 1,353 individuals who allege they suffered horrific abuse at the hands of local Catholic priests. This settlement comes after months of negotiations between attorneys representing the victims and the archdiocese. The agreement represents a significant step towards accountability and compensation for survivors who have endured decades of trauma.

Archbishop’s Apology and Hope for Healing

In response to the settlement announcement, Archbishop José H. Gomez issued a statement expressing profound remorse for the abuse incidents. “I am sorry for every one of these incidents, from the bottom of my heart,” the archbishop said. He added, “My hope is that this settlement will provide some measure of healing for what these men and women have suffered.” The archbishop’s words underscore the gravity of the situation and the church’s acknowledgment of its past failures.

Scope and Impact of the Settlement

The $880 million agreement covers claims dating back decades, reflecting the long-standing nature of the abuse crisis within the Catholic Church. Attorney Morgan Stewart, who led the negotiations, emphasized the urgency of resolving these cases, noting that many survivors are aging and some have already passed away. “These survivors have suffered for decades in the aftermath of the abuse. It was time to get this resolved,” Stewart told the Los Angeles Times.

Financial Implications for the Archdiocese

This settlement, combined with previous settlements totaling $740 million, pushes the Archdiocese of Los Angeles’s total payout to over $1.5 billion. The archdiocese plans to fund the settlement through investments, accumulated reserves, bank financing, and other assets. Additionally, certain religious orders and other parties named in the litigation will contribute to covering the settlement costs.

Process for Compensation Distribution

Under the terms of the agreement, the plaintiffs will engage in a process to allocate the settlement amount among the participants. This process will not involve the archdiocese, allowing for an independent distribution of funds to the survivors. The Plaintiffs’ Liaison Committee acknowledged in a joint statement that while no amount of money can replace what was taken from the victims, “there is justice in accountability.”