February 15, 2005

Archdiocese Pays Nearly $1.7 Million in Settlements

ST. LOUIS (MO)
KWMU

Maria Hickey, KWMU

ST. LOUIS, MO. (2005-02-14) The Archdiocese of St. Louis has spent nearly $1.7 million dollars to victims of clergy sex abuse since January of last year.

The settlements are part of a mediation process that involves members of an archdiocese committee.

The 31 cases resolved since Janurary 2004 cost a total of nearly 2.4 million dollars. An insurance carrier covered almost a third.

Archdiocese spokesman Tony Huenneke says most of the money will be used to help heal victims.

"We want to make sure that people are made whole again, that people are getting the therapy that they need, getting the counseling they need, so that's primarily what these moneys are put toward," Huenneke said.

But David Clohessy, the president of the Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests, says the settlements save the archdiocese from public trials and large jury awards.

Posted by kshaw at February 15, 2005 08:42 AM