OAKLAND (CA)
San Francisco Chronicle
By KIM CURTIS, Associated Press Writer
Friday, August 5, 2005
(08-05) 16:28 PDT San Francisco (AP) --
The Oakland diocese has agreed to settle its remaining lawsuits filed by more than 50 alleged victims of priest sexual abuse, the plaintiffs' lawyers announced Friday.
The settlement — no dollar amount was released — is a series of individual settlements with each remaining victim who alleged abuse by Oakland priests, according to a press release from the lawyers. The negotiations took more than four months and were overseen by an Alameda County Superior Court judge.
Messages left seeking comment Friday from a diocese spokesman were not immediately returned.
"There is no amount of money that can ever bring back the stolen innocence and destroyed faith that sexual molestation by a child's priest causes," said Larry Drivon, a Stockton lawyer who represents half of the alleged victims. "These settlements are adequate and fair."
The settlements mean at least 15 trials set to begin in upcoming months were canceled, the lawyers said.