SACRAMENTO (CA)
New York Newsday
By Eric Bailey
Times Staff Writer
June 30, 2005
SACRAMENTO — Marking another turn in the Roman Catholic Church's nationwide sexual abuse scandal, two Northern California dioceses Wednesday announced $45.6 million in legal settlements with dozens of alleged victims of molestation by priests.
The Diocese of Sacramento will pay $35 million to 33 people who said they had been sexually abused decades ago. Leaders in the Diocese of Santa Rosa agreed to legal settlements totaling $10.6 million for nine parishioners.
Church officials expressed remorse for the past wrongs of priests, and offered to meet with the victims to offer apologies as well as spiritual and emotional support.
"I ask their forgiveness for the grievous wrongs done to them and pray that this settlement today helps bring them peace and closure," said Bishop William Weigand of the Sacramento Diocese.
The settlements follow hefty cash payouts in clergy sexual abuse cases nationwide.
In January, church officials in Orange County agreed to pay $100 million to 90 victims. Earlier this month a Kentucky diocese announced that it would pay $120 million to 100 alleged victims of child molestation. The Archdiocese of Los Angeles remains in negotiations to settle 544 claims by alleged sexual abuse victims.
More than 10,000 people nationwide have accused about 4,400 Catholic priests of sexual abuse between 1950 and 2002, according to church officials. California has 1,000 molestation claims.