PHOENIX (AZ)
East Valley Tribune
By Gary Grado, Tribune
July 21, 2005
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Phoenix has agreed to pay $100,000 to settle a lawsuit brought by a Chandler man who claimed a priest molested him in 1978.
Tucson attorney Kim Williamson, who represents Mark Kennedy, said there will be no admission of wrongdoing by the diocese, which is typical in lawsuit settlements.
The diocese has been paying for Kennedy’s counseling for the past two years and agreed to pay for another two years or $10,000, whichever comes first, Williamson said.
"He’s happy with the result and happy that he can feel good about the diocese," Williamson said.
Diocese attorney Mike Haran said the settlement was for less than it would have cost to try the case, but that Bishop Thomas J. Olmsted is most concerned about healing and reconciliation.
The two sides just need to sign the agreement and file paperwork with the court, the attorneys said.