Judge OKs settlement for New Orleans Archdiocese to pay hundreds of clergy abuse victims | AP News

A federal judge has approved a settlement between the New Orleans Archdiocese and hundreds of victims of clergy sexual abuse, requiring the archdiocese to pay at least $230 million. The settlement follows years of negotiations and came after the archdiocese filed for bankruptcy in 2020 to avoid handling individual abuse claims. Survivors testified about the lasting trauma caused by the abuse, recounting struggles with substance abuse, intimacy, and self-blame.

Archbishop Gregory Aymond apologized for the church’s actions and expressed hope for closure for the survivors, acknowledging their continued suffering. Victims shared deeply personal stories, with some expressing forgiveness and others grappling with lasting pain and anger. The settlement plan, overwhelmingly approved by survivors in October, includes measures to prevent future abuse, such as a survivor representative on the internal review board, external monitoring of child abuse prevention practices, a survivors’ bill of rights, and a public archive of related documents.

The case triggered an FBI probe and a crisis for the Catholic Church, with the archdiocese seeking assistance from New Orleans Saints executives for damage control. Bishop James F. Checchio has been named coadjutor archbishop to succeed Aymond upon his retirement.

(Source：Apnews)