Helena, Montana Roman Catholic Diocese Settles Abuse Claims

By Tom Corrigan
Wall Street Journal
March 4, 2015

http://www.wsj.com/articles/helena-montana-roman-catholic-diocese-settles-abuse-claims-1425502152

A judge on Wednesday approved a $21 million plan to compensate about 380 people who allege they were sexually abused by the clergy of Montana’s Roman Catholic Diocese of Helena.

U.S. Bankruptcy Court Judge Terry Myers had been widely expected to sign off on the plan, which drew no objections and was approved by more than 98% of the alleged victims when put to a vote earlier this year.

The plan will settle about 380 sexual-abuse claims brought against the Helena diocese, 235 of which were filed jointly against both the diocese and the Ursuline Sisters of the Western Province, a religious order of nuns. The settlement also resolves the claims against the Ursuline Sisters.

The judge’s signature also clears the way for the diocese to exit Chapter 11 protection later this year.