Another Roman Catholic Diocese Settles Sex Abuse Claims, Paying Out $323M
Two months after the Archdiocese of Los Angeles settled with men and women who survived childhood sexual abuse at the hands of Roman Catholic priests and clergy within their organization, agreeing to a payout of $880M to 1353 victims, or around $650k each, the Diocese of Rockville Centre in New York has followed suit, with a court approving a settlement of $323M to 600 victims, or $538k each.
According to a statement published by the Diocese:
We are grateful to God that on December 4th, the court confirmed the Plan that resolves and ends the Bankruptcy Case for the Diocese of Rockville Centre, all our parishes, and related ministries.
The total settlement amount was just over $323 million, which included insurance contributions, Diocesan assets and sale proceeds from Diocesan property, and contributions from parishes and other related entities. The Diocese, parishes and other related entities contributed a total of $234.8 million. Insurance companies contributed a total of just over $85 million.
Previously, the Diocese offered $200M to settle the abuse claims, which 130 priests seemingly committed over decades. The initial offer was rejected for being less than half the $450M the survivors and their lawyers requested, so the $323M represents a compromise between both parties.
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In the above picture, the priest on the right was on an episode of “The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” when Lisa Vanderpump and Ken Todd renewed their wedding vows.