Costs skyrocket, but clergy sex abuse cases fall sharply in 2005

Published: 2006-03-30

WASHINGTON (CNS) -- Clergy child sex abuse allegations dramatically declined in 2005 over the previous year, but costs skyrocketed, according to the yearly audit on how the U.S. church is applying child protection policies. Dioceses, Eastern-rite eparchies and religious communities paid out $467 million in child sex abuse-related costs in 2005, $309 million more than in 2004, while new credible allegations dropped by 28 percent to 783, said the audit report made public March 30. Most of the money, $446 million, was paid out by dioceses and eparchies, with 49 percent covered by insurance. The payouts involved many cases reported in prior years. When added to previously released costs, the U.S. church has paid out more than $1.3 billion on clergy sex abuse-related issues, mostly in settlements to victims, since 1950. Besides allegations, the number of alleged victims and abusers dropped significantly.

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