Diocese of Davenport agrees to $9 million settlement in abuse cases

Published: 2004-10-29

DAVENPORT, Iowa (CNS) -- Bishop William E. Franklin of Davenport has approved a $9 million, out-of-court settlement with 37 individuals who have claimed they were sexually abused by clergy. The settlement, announced at an Oct. 28 press conference in Davenport with the claimants' attorney, Craig Levien, dismisses the Diocese of Davenport from 13 of the 15 lawsuits filed against it. The majority of claimants are individuals who had not yet sued the diocese. "It is my hope that this settlement will help foster healing and forgiveness as well as help us to focus together on preventing this from ever happening again," Bishop Franklin said. "I have faith that the light of Christ will lead the way through these dark times," the bishop added. "We will move forward to continue our mission essential to our community of faith. We will work to provide spiritual care, to protect the innocent and to advocate for the least among us. I ask God to bless our injured brothers and sisters and pray that our diocese will walk together in faith," he said.

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