KANSAS CITY (MO)
National Catholic Reporter
Brian Roewe | Aug. 21, 2014
KANSAS CITY, MO. A circuit judge has upheld an arbiter’s decision that the Kansas City-St. Joseph diocese pay $1.1 million for breach of terms of a 2008 settlement that included measures intended to prevent further sexual abuse of children by clergy.
Jackson County Circuit Judge Bryan E. Round ruled Aug. 14 that “there can be no doubt that the diocese, through its leadership and higher-level personnel, failed in numerous respects to abide by the terms” of the 2008 settlement, according to The Kansas City Star. In addition to awarding $10 million to 47 plaintiffs, that settlement included 19 nonmonetary commitments aimed at preventing abuse and helping survivors.
“The Diocese paid less in damages for agreeing to the non-economic terms demanded by the Plaintiffs,” Round said in his decision. “When the Diocese breached the non-economic commitments, it effectively received the benefits without paying for it.”
Jack Smith, diocesan spokesman, told NCR it will not appeal the decision.
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