December 20, 2004

Second person settles sex-abuse case against ex-priest, archdiocese

ST LOUIS (MO)
The Kansas City Star

JIM SUHR
Associated Press

ST. LOUIS - A second person molested by a former priest now imprisoned for sexual misconduct has settled his lawsuit against St. Louis' archdiocese and the one-time clergyman, a victims' advocacy group said Monday.

Attorneys refused to discuss specifics about the settlement involving the Rev. Bryan Kuchar, including the payout that a source close to the matter said involved "six figures."

The settlement is the latest of 22 reached this year through mediation by the Archdiocese of St. Louis, with at least three other cases pending, said Bernard Huger, an attorney for the archdiocese. Of the $2,101,800 in total payouts for those settlements, $742,144 has been paid by insurance and the rest by archdiocese reserves, Huger said.

"Our goal is to assist people with healing," Huger said. "We do want to listen to the people (making claims), hear what's said and see what kind of support and assistance can be provided. The goal is to move towards healing; it doesn't all happen in one day."

Posted by kshaw at December 20, 2004 08:36 PM