The Archdiocese of New Orleans has proposed a multi-million dollar settlement with claimants in clergy sex abuse cases and announced that survivors must file claims by Dec. 2.
According to FOX8Live, the archdiocese has offered hundreds of claimants a settlement of at least $180 million. The archdiocese stated in a press release that it, along with 157 Catholic parishes, schools, organizations, and ministries, would offer the money to survivors.
“Under the proposed Joint Plan in the Archdiocese’s bankruptcy, a Settlement Trust would be created to pay sexual abuse claimants,” the archdiocese added.
FOX8Live reported that individual parishes and charitable organizations affiliated with the archdiocese would be asked to contribute $60 million of the settlement.
The outlet added that the survivors will now review the settlement offer. They have until Oct. 29 to decide whether to accept.
The archdiocese has also promised to make several non-financial commitments as part of the settlement, including upping protections for children. CatholicVote previously reported that drafts of the commitments, as of August, had included a pledge to establish a remembrance memorial for sexual abuse survivors at the archdiocese’s chancery. The archdiocese had also promised to hold a dedication ceremony — at which Archbishop Gregory Aymond would attend — and highlight the ceremony on its social media pages.
“In addition, the archdiocese promised to publicize documents regarding any claim of sexual abuse included in the bankruptcy filings, including accused clergy members’ personnel files,” CatholicVote reported at the time. A canon lawyer had objected to the non-financial commitments, calling them cause for “grave concern.”
According to FOX8Live, if less than two-thirds of the survivors vote for the plan, “the bankruptcy case will likely be tossed out.”
