WASHINGTON
The News Tribune
STEVE MAYNARD; The News Tribune
Published: March 31st, 2006 01:00 AM
The Catholic archdiocese covering Tacoma and all of Western Washington reported Thursday that its costs for dealing with clergy sex abuse cases soared by nearly 50 percent – about $8 million – last year.
As a result, the church dipped into a reserve fund for the first time to help pay abuse costs.
The total spent by the Archdiocese of Seattle on clergy sex abuse since 1987 increased to $26 million last year as cases were settled and new accusations surfaced.
The archdiocese tapped its reserve fund because cumulative costs in sex abuse cases exceeded its self-insurance program, said spokesman Greg Magnoni.