Victims of clergy abuse accept $660m deal
The deal was formally approved in a dramatic hearing marked by the sobs of victims and their attorneys, and a moment of silence for those victims who died during the years of negotiations.
“This is the right result,” said Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Haley Fromholz.
“Settling the cases was the right thing to do and it was done by dint of a number of extremely talented and dedicated people putting in an awful lot of time.”
The deal came after more than five years of negotiations and is by far the largest payout by any diocese since the clergy abuse scandal emerged in Boston in 2002.
The amount averages a little more than $1.3m (€943,418) per plaintiff, although individual payouts will vary according to the severity and duration of the abuse.
Cardinal Roger Mahony, the head of the archdiocese, had issued an apology on Sunday after the settlement was announced.
Ray Bouchet, lead plaintiffs’ attorney for alleged victims, asked his clients to stand during the hearing and thanked them for their resolve and their courage.
“It’s their courage and commitment that made this possible,” he said.
