DUBUQUE (IA)
KCRG
Tuesday, February 21, 2006, 12:12:53 PM
By Dave Franzman
KCRG-TV9
(Dubuque – KCRG) -- Twenty pending lawsuits against the Archdiocese of Dubuque were settled for a payment of $5 million to victims and other considerations.
The cases all involved sexual abuse of minors by former or deceased priests.
The settlement was announced on Tuesday both by church officials and Waterloo attorneys representing the victims. The deal involved 12 men and eight women and many of the cases date to sexual abuse the victims suffered as children in the 1950's and 60's.
At a news conference, attorneys representing the victims say the "global deal" came after private mediation sessions with Archbishop Jerome Hanus last week. Some of the cases were set to go to trial soon. Others were scheduled for federal court or state court later this year or next.