L. A. Archdiocese Settles Massive Child Abuse Case for $880 Million

In a significant development, the Archdiocese of Los Angeles has agreed to pay $880 million to settle over a thousand child sexual abuse claims. This massive settlement, the largest of its kind with a Catholic archdiocese, covers 1,354 cases. This agreement comes under California's Assembly Bill 218, which temporarily lifted the statute of limitations for past abuse claims involving minors. The settlement reflects the severe harm caused to vulnerable children and the archdiocese's past failures to protect them. It's a step towards accountability, as urged by Morgan A. Stewart, an attorney representing the victims. Archbishop José H. Gomez expressed deep remorse and hope that the settlement will help the victims heal. This isn't the first time the archdiocese has faced such a situation. In 2007, they settled with 500 victims for $660 million. The funds for this new settlement will come from the archdiocese's reserves, investments, and loans, ensuring that donations to parishes and schools are not affected. This settlement might mark the end of ongoing legal battles, but it's a grim reminder of the past. It's crucial to consider how such incidents could have been prevented and how other religious institutions can learn from this.