Cleveland.com: The Cost of Abuse

The United States -

Sex abuse cases have rocked the Roman Catholic Church in the past, but never as forcefully as they have in recent months. Some observers estimate that the church in America has paid as much as $1 billion in settlements, jury awards and treatment for priests involved in sex abuse cases since the mid-1980s. Mark Chopko, general counsel for the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, says the figure is closer to $250 million. A review of sex abuse cases in the church since 1985 includes the following cases.

1985

Gilbert Gauthe, a parish priest in Lafayette, La., is sentenced to 20 years in prison for molesting 11 boys. Victims, who claim the diocese has known of problems with Gauthe since the mid-1970s, sue the diocese and settle for about $18 million. Gauthe's is one of the first nationally publicized priest sex abuse cases.

1987

The Plain Dealer reports allegations of child sexual abuse against four priests in the Cleveland Diocese and efforts to keep them secret. All four priests are sent to new assignments, where some have access to children. The revelations prompt new diocesan policies for handling sex abuse claims.

1989

Hawaii's Joseph Ferrario is the first U.S. bishop accused of molestation. Ferrario, who denies the allegations, retires early in 1993.

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Read the article at Cleveland.com dated 04/14/02