SPOKANE (WA)
KXLY
Associated Press
Last updated: Thursday, April 20th, 2006 02:07:33 PM
SPOKANE -- The Roman Catholic Diocese of Spokane has reached settlements totaling $4.25 Million with two more of its insurance carriers in a dispute over coverage of clergy sex abuse claims.
Bishop William Skylstad announced the proposed settlements today. They still must be approved by federal bankruptcy and district court judges.
It is the second time in less than a month that companies that issued policies to the diocese have agreed to settle, rather than go to trial. The diocese now has more than nine-point-five (m) million dollars from insurance companies to pay victims of clergy sexual abuse.
The diocese filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection because of sex abuse claims and has offered to settle with 75 victims for nearly 46 (m) million dollars.