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	Settlement Made in Diocese of Pittsburgh Lawsuits WPXI September 17, 2007 http://www.wpxi.com/news/14129759/detail.html Pittsburgh — A settlement has been reached in the priest abuse scandal at the Pittsburgh Catholic Diocese. Resolutions have been reached in 32 cases. Courts in Pennsylvania ruled the suits could not be heard because of the statute of limitations. The diocese has created a fund of over $1 million to settle nearly three dozen cases. Each plaintiff in the lawsuits will also be invited to take part in a program of counseling and healing. "The Pennsylvania courts' rulings preclude our clients from pursuing their claims," said Alan H. Perer, a senior partner at the Law Firm of SPK who represents all of the plaintiffs. He said the "gesture by the Diocese is very much appreciated." The amount each plaintiff receives will be based on a review of each case. However, if the 32 lawsuits are divided into the $1.25 million settlement, the plaintiffs will receive an average of a little more than $78,000 each. "Not only has the Diocese shown care and respect for these people, it has also provided through the policies and practices it has in place that this sort of thing will not happen again," Perer said. "Outreach and healing have been central to our response to victims of clergy sexual misconduct," Bishop Paul J. Bradley, diocesan administrator, said. "With the cooperation of the plaintiffs and attorneys in the lawsuits, we have moved from an adversarial relationship in the legal system to conciliation and agreement. This is important for all involved so that true healing can begin," Bradley said. This is not the first time this year a diocese has a reached a settlement involving abuse lawsuits. In June, the Los Angeles Diocese agreed to pay more than $600 million dollars to about 500 people. That settlement came shortly before jury selection was supposed to begin in the first of 15 trials.
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