Church sets aside millions for child abuse claims
Church sets aside millions for child abuse claims Jan 30th 2007
THE Roman Catholic Diocese of Charleston announced on Friday it has agreed to settle child sex abuse claims, designating as much as R87,9 million ($12m) for damages.
The class action settlement between the diocese and attorneys representing possible victims has been given initial approval by a judge, said Larry Richter, an attorney representing four people claiming abuse.
It is not clear how many victims there are.
In 2004, diocese officials said there had been 45 credible abuse allegations in the state between 1950 and 2002 against 21 priests, one deacon and one deacon candidate.
Recent negotiations revealed allegations against at least 26 priests, Richter said.
Bishop Robert Baker, in a letter published in the diocesan newspaper on Friday, said: "I deeply regret the anguish of any individual who has suffered the scourge of childhood abuse and I am firmly committed to a just resolution of any instance in which a person who holds the responsibility of a protector has become a predator."
The settlement allows compensation for sexual abuse victims born before August 30, 1980, and their spouses and parents.
Richter said the 1980 date was negotiated between the attorneys and the diocese, generally to assure the settlement would cover victims who otherwise could not sue under the statute of limitations in South Carolina.
An arbitrator will validate claims and determine the amount of compensation. Sapa-AP
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