June 03, 2005

Covington, Ky., diocese announces settlement of class-action suit

COVINGTON (KY)
WKYT

COVINGTON, Ky. -- The Roman Catholic Diocese of Covington will set up a fund of $120 million to pay victims of clergy abuse and settle a class-action lawsuit, the diocese and plaintiff's attorneys announced Friday in a joint statement.

The statement said the settlement is subject to court approval.

The suit alleges a 50-year cover-up of sexual abuse by diocese priests and other workers and was granted class-action status in 2003. It had been scheduled for trial this spring but repeatedly postponed while a mediator conducted settlement talks.

"After personally meeting with more than seventy victims, I am painfully aware that no amount of money can compensate for the harm these victims suffered as innocent children," Covington Bishop Roger Foys said in the statement. "Nevertheless, I pray that this settlement will bring some measure of peace and healing to victims and their loved ones."

Posted by kshaw at June 3, 2005 12:54 PM