US Catholic Diocese Settles $323 Million with Survivors of Child Sexual Abuse

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The Roman Catholic Diocese of Rockville Centre in Long Island, New York, has reached a bankruptcy settlement totaling over $323 million to compensate more than 530 survivors of child sexual abuse. The settlement marks a significant resolution in a case that almost collapsed after initial offers were rejected. Victims had accused priests of abusing them as children, and the long-awaited deal provides a financial remedy for those affected.

 

The diocese, which serves around 1.2 million Catholics in Nassau and Suffolk counties, had earlier faced the possibility of a failed bankruptcy settlement after survivors turned down a previous offer of $200 million. US Bankruptcy Judge Martin Glenn, overseeing the case in Manhattan, stated that the agreement represented "enormous progress," highlighting how close the settlement had come to collapsing. Under the new agreement, Rockville Centre will contribute $234.8 million to the settlement fund, while four insurers will provide an additional $85.3 million. Further contributions are expected from another insurer currently undergoing a separate insolvency process, as well as from attorneys representing the survivors.

 

Eric Fasano, a spokesperson for the diocese, expressed relief at the settlement, stating that it would ensure “the equitable compensation of survivors of abuse while allowing the church to continue her essential mission.” The settlement follows the diocese’s filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in October 2020, a move it made due to the mounting costs of lawsuits related to clergy sexual abuse cases dating back decades.

 

This case is not unique to Rockville Centre. In recent years, more than two dozen Catholic dioceses in the United States have filed for bankruptcy after states, including New York, passed laws allowing victims of child sexual abuse to sue for decades-old crimes. This settlement may set a precedent for other dioceses facing similar claims. For example, the Archdiocese of New Orleans, which filed for bankruptcy in May 2020, recently proposed a $62.5 million settlement. However, claimants in that case are pushing for a higher settlement of $217 million, with expectations that insurers could contribute an additional $800 million.

 

The legal landscape for these dioceses has shifted dramatically following a recent US Supreme Court ruling. The ruling, related to the bankruptcy of OxyContin maker Purdue Pharma, restricted the ability of bankruptcy courts to offer broad legal protections to non-bankrupt entities contributing to settlement funds. This ruling has forced Catholic dioceses to find new methods of securing contributions from insurers and parishes, which had traditionally provided funds in exchange for protection from further lawsuits.

 

To overcome these challenges, Rockville Centre devised a solution by agreeing to have all of its parishes file for bankruptcy. This allowed the parishes to subject their assets and liabilities to court oversight, which in turn enabled them to gain legal protections. According to the diocese's attorney, Corinne Ball, insurers then agreed to buy back their policies from both the diocese and the parishes, effectively ending their responsibility for covering the sexual abuse claims.

 

The settlement brings a degree of closure to the survivors and the diocese, though the trauma and pain inflicted by the abuse will remain. With more dioceses across the country grappling with similar claims, the Rockville Centre settlement may offer a framework for others to follow.

 

Based on a report from: The Guardian 2024-09-28

 

 

 

[jippytum]

For decades the catholic church  has protected hundreds of pedophile priests guilty of molesting children.  

In many cases the denial prevented closure,  compensation and justice for hundreds of young victims world wide. 

[john donson]

600.000$ a piece? damn.. that's some good h....

[Expat4life66]

5 hours ago, jippytum said:

For decades the catholic church  has protected hundreds of pedophile priests guilty of molesting children.  

In many cases the denial prevented closure,  compensation and justice for hundreds of young victims world wide. 

Darn those Biden / Harris supporter clergy, should have kept in in their pants

[simple1]

5 hours ago, jippytum said:

For decades the catholic church  has protected hundreds of pedophile priests guilty of molesting children.  

In many cases the denial prevented closure,  compensation and justice for hundreds of young victims world wide. 

 

Yep. The Church has their own legal system, Cannon Law, which should be banned as a parallel legal system. Should only be a single legal system in a democratic country; as said countless times concerning Sharia Law, should also apply to  halachah (Jewish Law) and so on.

[Bday Prang]

600,000 each, !   bugger me 

[AustinRacing]

Does settlement mean the identity of perpetrators is not not revealed? If so, shame on the legal system. 

[Purdey]

Wait a gold darned minute hoss.

How many pedo priests went to prison?

[John Drake]

Alex Jones is paying $1 billion. The Roman church got off easy.

[Expat4life66]

23 hours ago, simple1 said:

 

Yep. The Church has their own legal system, Cannon Law, which should be banned as a parallel legal system. Should only be a single legal system in a democratic country; as said countless times concerning Sharia Law, should also apply to  halachah (Jewish Law) and so on.

if Oz keeps importing muslims at the current rate on work visas, they outbirth aussies 2:1 20 years from now sharia law will be full on in your biggest cities, see the forest through the trees, man...

[simple1]

27 minutes ago, Expat4life66 said:

if Oz keeps importing muslims at the current rate on work visas, they outbirth aussies 2:1 20 years from now sharia law will be full on in your biggest cities, see the forest through the trees, man...

 

Rubbish

[Hummin]

5 minutes ago, simple1 said:

 

Rubbish

Everything goes in circles as bubbles, and the Christianity is declining, we have reached our pike for this time.

 

Good times create weak people,.bad times,,,,,,,,, 

 

They are hungry for what we got, and Usa what do they do? Science is not trusted anymore, there is no one force to unite people, 

 

Future is here, good luck

Edited September 29 by Hummin

[Kevbo]

2 hours ago, Expat4life66 said:

if Oz keeps importing muslims at the current rate on work visas, they outbirth aussies 2:1 20 years from now sharia law will be full on in your biggest cities, see the forest through the trees, man...

Same in UK

[thaibeachlovers]

Ooh, I feel bad but give me money and it'll make the hurt go away.

 

By all means put the criminals in jail, pay for counseling, but this greed culture is not good for society, IMO.

[Expat4life66]

23 hours ago, simple1 said:

 

Rubbish

Only 3 or 4 countries use this word rubish when they have no response, so feel sorry for you.  The rest of western world say trash which is exactly what your anglo countries are already turning into via leftist unchecked immigration.   Japan, Korea, Thailand and Vietnam dont let in this element for a reason.  China simply exterminates the ones that came in through the north border and Myanmar (probably Burma to you if you use the word rubbish). 

Edited September 30 by Expat4life66

[youreavinalaff]

11 minutes ago, Expat4life66 said:

Only 3 or 4 countries use this word rubish when they have no response, so feel sorry for you.  The rest of western world say trash which is exactly what your anglo countries are already turning into via leftist unchecked immigration.   Japan, Korea, Thailand and Vietnam dont let in this element for a reason.  China simply exterminates the ones that came in through the north border and Myanmar (probably Burma to you if you use the word rubbish). 

What element do Japan, Korea, Vietnam or Thailand not let in?

 

USA use the words "trash" and "Burma".

[Expat4life66]

7 minutes ago, youreavinalaff said:

What element do Japan, Korea, Vietnam or Thailand not let in?

 

USA use the words "trash" and "Burma".

The only people that use Burma are sienfeld watchers and over 60s that don't understand it hasn't been a colonial territory of the UK for decades.   Fantastic retorical question, you win the fake I don't understand the comment award, next...

Edited September 30 by Expat4life66

[youreavinalaff]

2 minutes ago, Expat4life66 said:

The only people that use Burma are sienfeld watchers and over 60s that don't understand it hasn't been a colonial territory of the UK for decades.   Fantastic retorical question, you win the fake I don't understand the comment award, next...

USA use Burma. 

 

Next.... is you answering my question. 

 

Thanks.

[thaibeachlovers]

9 hours ago, Expat4life66 said:

The only people that use Burma are sienfeld watchers and over 60s that don't understand it hasn't been a colonial territory of the UK for decades.   Fantastic retorical question, you win the fake I don't understand the comment award, next...

Myanmar is the preferred name that the vile dictator regime  prefers.

I'll continue to call it Burma, reminiscent of a time the leaders were not genocidal scum.

 

[simple1]

15 hours ago, Expat4life66 said:

Only 3 or 4 countries use this word rubish when they have no response, so feel sorry for you.  The rest of western world say trash which is exactly what your anglo countries are already turning into via leftist unchecked immigration.   Japan, Korea, Thailand and Vietnam dont let in this element for a reason.  China simply exterminates the ones that came in through the north border and Myanmar (probably Burma to you if you use the word rubbish). 

 

The language you use is classic extremist right wing. Plus you really should factcheck from none extremist sources before echoing the usual rubbish regards Japan and so on. Becomes rather boring to continuously prove to people such as you the truth.

 

What is the current number of Muslim voters in the UK? A hint...

 

Muslims are estimated to form around 6.5% of the population of England and Wales, with around 2% in Scotland and 1% in Northern Ireland.

 

Do you really believe the right of centre meme that Sharia Law will be imposed to replace the parliamentary system in the UK during your lifetime? Right of centre has been trying this line for a while now to create disharmony, hate and so on; it's BS.