SPOKANE (WA)
The News Tribune
JOHN K. WILEY; The Associated Press
Published: April 21st, 2006 01:00 AM
SPOKANE – The Roman Catholic Diocese of Spokane has reached settlements totaling $4.25 million with two of its insurance carriers in a dispute over coverage of sex abuse claims, Bishop William Skylstad said Thursday.
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. With a proposed $5.25 million settlement offer from the diocese’s main insurer, more than $9.5 million is available for paying victims of sexual abuse by clergy, Skylstad said.
The offers must be approved by federal bankruptcy and district court judges.
The diocese filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in 2004 because of sex abuse claims and has offered to settle the claims of 75 victims for $45.7 million. More than 100 other claims have been filed since.