The Archdiocese of Los Angeles has agreed to pay $880 million to more than 1,300 victims of s*xual abuse by Catholic priests, marking the largest single child s*x abuse settlement involving a Catholic archdiocese, according to an attorney.
The settlement, announced on Wednesday, October 16, follows decades of abuse allegations. Archbishop José H. Gomez expressed deep regret, stating, “I am sorry for every one of these incidents, from the bottom of my heart,” and added that he hopes the settlement brings some healing to the survivors.
Lawyers representing 1,353 victims, who suffered abuse at the hands of local clergy, reached the agreement after months of negotiation. The settlement concludes a 25-year legal battle against the largest archdiocese in the U.S.
In a joint statement, attorneys for the plaintiffs acknowledged that while no amount of money can replace what was taken from these individuals, the settlement represents justice through accountability.
Under the agreement, the distribution of the funds will be handled without the involvement of the archdiocese. This brings the total amount the archdiocese has paid to victims, including previous settlements, to over $1.5 billion.
Attorney Morgan Stewart, who led the negotiations, described the settlement as the largest of its kind, adding that many survivors have endured decades of suffering. Stewart emphasized that the resolution was timely, as both survivors and witnesses are aging, and some have already passed away.
The settlement will be covered by the archdiocese’s investments, reserves, bank financing, and contributions from religious orders involved in the case.
