BishopAccountability.org
	Resolution Announced in 32 Abuse Lawsuits Pittsburgh Catholic September 21, 2007 http://www.pittsburghcatholic.org/newsarticles_more.phtml?id=2029 A conciliatory resolution of 32 civil lawsuits involving claims of abuse or injury by priests has been jointly announced by the Diocese of Pittsburgh and the plaintiffs' attorneys. The plaintiffs have withdrawn their lawsuits. In a series of decisions, courts in Pennsylvania have held that the statute of limitations prevents the bringing of suits in these cases because the alleged abuses happened long before the cases were filed. "The Pennsylvania courts' rulings preclude our clients from pursuing their claims," said Alan Perer, a senior partner at the law firm of SPK, who represents all of the plaintiffs, and the "gesture by the diocese is very much appreciated." The diocese has established a $1.25 million outreach fund to be distributed by an independent arbitrator to the plaintiffs for healing and reconciliation based on a review of each individual claim. The diocese and the plaintiffs believed it was important to resolve these issues in a conciliatory fashion. Each plaintiff in the lawsuits will also be invited to take part in a program of counseling and healing. The resolution was welcomed by Perer. "Often institutions brush these sorts of things under the rug as soon as possible. It was important and admirable for the diocese to step forward and offer these people help and some form of compensation," said Perer, joining in the announcement with attorney Richard Serbin, co-counsel who represents similar clients in Pittsburgh and Philadelphia. "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," said Bishop Paul Bradley, diocesan administrator. "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," Bishop Bradley said. In a letter to pastors announcing the resolution, Bishop Bradley explained that the cases involved accusations of abuse dating from 1954 to 1989. Of the 18 priests named in the lawsuits, nine are deceased and the rest are no longer in ministry. Bishop Bradley stated that the money for the resolution has come from insurance.
Any original material on these pages is copyright © BishopAccountability.org 2004. Reproduce freely with attribution.