The High Cost of Sexual Abuse Lawsuits Against Catholic Church

The High Cost of Sexual Abuse Lawsuits Against Catholic Church
Total over 3 Billion

The Los Angeles Archdiocese - largest church settlement of sexual abuse lawsuits to date,
agreeing to pay more than 500 alleged victims a total of $660 million.

The Society of Jesus made a $50 million payout to over 100 Inuits who alleged that they had been sexually abused.

In 2008, the Diocese of Fairbanks, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, claiming inability to pay the 140 plaintiffs filing claims against the diocese.

On October 10, 2006, the Diocese of Davenport filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.

In July 2008 the Archdiocese of Denver paid a settlement of $5.5 million dollars to 18 claims of alleged sexual abuse.

The Diocese of Memphis - $2 million settlement with a man who was abused as a boy by Father Juan Carlos Duran.

By early 2009, the Archdiocese of Milwaukee had spent approximately $26.5 million in attorney fees and settlement.

On January 3, 2005 Bishop Tod Brown of the Diocese of Orange apologized to 87 alleged victims of sexual abuse and announced a settlement of $100 million.

In October, 2009, the diocese of Savannah paid $4.24 million to settle a lawsuit which alleged that Lessard allowed a priest named Wayland Brown to work in the diocese when Lessard knew that Brown was a serial child molester who posed a danger to children.

Under Bishop William S. Skylstad the Diocese of Spokane declared bankruptcy in December 2004. As part of its bankruptcy, the diocese has agreed to pay at least $48 million as compensation.

The Diocese of Tucson filed for bankruptcy in September, 2004. Agreement with plaintiffs, which the bankruptcy judge approved on June 11, 2005, with $22.2 million settlement.

In 2002, one attorney reported total earnings of $60 million from suing the church.

By the end of the mid 1990s, estimated more than half a billion dollars had been paid in jury awards, settlements and legal fees. This grew to about one billion dollars by 2002.

October 2009 - Diocese of Wilmington - Filed for bankruptcy

Total over 3 Billion

"Towards the end of the world, tyrants and hostile mobs will rob the Church and the clergy of all their possessions and will afflict and martyr them. Those who heap the most abuse upon them will be held in high esteem."

"At that time, the Pope with his cardinals will have to flee Rome in tragic circumstances to a place where they will be unknown. The Pope will die a cruel death in his exile. The sufferings of the Church will be much greater than at any previous time in her history. But God will raise a holy Pope, and the Angels will rejoice. Enlightened by God, this man will rebuild almost the whole world through his holiness. He will lead everyone to the true Faith. Everywhere, the fear of God, virtue, and good morals will prevail. He will lead all erring sheep back to the fold, and there shall be one faith, one law, one rule of life, and one baptism on earth. All men will love each other and do good, and all quarrels and wars will cease."

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