Arbitrator Awards $1 Million to Victims in Kc Catholic Church Scandal

By Micheal Mahoney
KMBC
July 1, 2014

http://www.kmbc.com/news/arbitrator-awards-1-million-to-victims-in-kc-catholic-church-scandal/26748016#!7aL1r

An arbitrator has awarded more than $1 million to a group of victims in the Kansas City priest abuse sex scandal.

Six years ago, 47 victims settled with the diocese for $10 million and promised that the church would clean up its act in the future. Four years ago, the Shawn Ratigan child pornography scandal hit.

The arbitrator ruled that the diocese didn't live up to its promises not to hide future sex abuse problems with clergy members and promptly report trouble to authorities.

The records show that church officials waiting a year before alerting investigators.

Ratigan is now in prison, but the victims in the prior case argued that his case and the way the church responded to it represent a broken promise.

"Where they expected protector, they received desertion," arbitrator Hollis Hanover wrote.

Rebecca Randles, an attorney for the victims, calls the broken promises non-monetary commitments. She said this case is a first.

"This is the first time that clients have come together to try and force non-monetary commitments to a settlement that were intended to create a safer environment for children," she said.

The Kansas City Diocese has asked that the $1 million order be thrown out. Randles filed a motion asking the courts to enforce it. A Jackson County judge will decide what to do next.