Diocese Reaches Settlement with Priest Abuse Victims
Sacramento Catholic church leaders have agreed to a settlement in nearly three dozen cases of alleged sexual abuse by priests against children dating back over the past four decades.
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Sacramento announced Wednesday it will pay out $35 million to 33 victims who claimed sexual misconduct by priests. The settlement came one day before the first civil litigation against the diocese was scheduled to go to trial.
"I do offer an apology from the church," said Bishop Willam Weigand. "This sort of thing should not happen. It must not happen in the future. It's totally contrary to the mission of the church and the call of a priest or any other worker in the church."
Weigand said while the stigma caused by the allegations have been trying for the church, he felt the Sacramento Diocese acted responsibly in its handling of sex abuse claims.
"It's been a terribly heavy burden," said Weigand. "It's been like a black cloud over us. I think we've dealt with it upfront and decisively."
Read the article at kxtv.com Dated June 29, 2005
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