DAVENPORT (IA)
Quad-City Times
By Todd Ruger
The Catholic Diocese of Davenport announced plans Friday to create a millstone monument to victims of clergy sexual abuse.
The marker, to be placed outside the diocese headquarters, will remind church officials of their commitment to protect children as well as symbolize their commitment to the healing of victims, Bishop William Franklin said in a written statement.
“This symbol is intended to help promote healing for the victims and all the faithful in our diocese,” he said. “The diocese hopes that our efforts will be meaningful to the victims and that this process will help to ease their pain.”
The diocese agreed to create a monument as a non-monetary term of a $9 million settlement with 37 victims in the wake of numerous lawsuits containing allegations of decades-old sexual abuse by priests.
Posted by kshaw at February 12, 2005 08:28 AM