UNITED STATES
Catholic Sentinel
Catholic News Service
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Catholic Church spent a total of $150.7 million on child protection efforts and to address allegations of clergy sexual abuse of minors in dioceses and religious orders between July 2013 and June 2014.
The total includes about $31.7 million for safe environment training programs, background checks and other protective efforts, and about $119 million for settlements paid to victims, therapy for victims, attorneys’ fees and other costs related to allegations, including those reported in previous years.
The figures are among results of an annual survey conducted by Georgetown University’s Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate that is part of an annual audit report on the response of the U.S. church to clergy sexual abuse.
The 12th annual report, released April 17 by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, “is part of a pledge we have made to remain accountable and vigilant,” said Archbishop Joseph E. Kurtz of Louisville, Kentucky, who is president of the USCCB.
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