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11th
Catholic Diocese Files for Bankruptcy over Sexual Abuse Cases
By Annysa Johnson Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
February 4, 2014
http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/news/243350941.html
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Helena, Mont., has
agreed to pay $15 million to victims of clergy sexual abuse, and
becomes the 11th U.S. diocese to file for bankruptcy protection
to deal with its numerous abuse claims and lawsuits.
The Archdiocese of Milwaukee was the eighth Catholic
diocese to seek Chapter 11 protection when it filed in January
2011.
Helena appears unusual, if not unique, among the
bankrupt dioceses in that it hammered out its settlement
agreement with victim-survivors before filing on Friday.
According to the diocese, it will pay $15 million to
362 victims and an place an unspecified amount into a
future-claims fund. The bulk of that will be funded by
insurance. The diocese itself would contribute $2.5 million
toward claims, legal fees and other costs.
The diocese also agreed to make a public apology, make
public the names of those priests who have been credibly accused
of sexual abuse and provide counseling for victims.
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