San Francisco Archdiocese settles 15 abuse lawsuits for $21 million

Published: 2005-06-14

SAN FRANCISCO (CNS) -- The San Francisco Archdiocese and its insurance carriers have agreed to settle 15 clergy sexual abuse lawsuits for about $21,250,000, the archdiocese announced June 10. Retired Judge Coleman Fannin mediated the agreement, which covers one-fourth of pending sexual abuse claims against the archdiocese. The archdiocese is to provide $6.6 million of the settlement, with the remainder coming from insurance carriers. Archbishop William J. Levada of San Francisco called Fannin's settlement proposal "fair and reasonable." "During the course of the recent trials and settlement discussions, we have heard the victims' anger and grief over the impact that the abuse has had on their lives and the lives of their families and friends," he said in a statement. "It is our hope that the settlement of these cases will facilitate the process of healing for these victims and also set the stage for a global settlement of the remaining cases."

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