Spokane Diocese, insurers agree on $4.5 million in sex abuse funds

Published: 2006-07-10

WASHINGTON (CNS) -- The Diocese of Spokane, Wash., has announced agreements with two more insurance companies that would add $4.5 million to the settlement fund for people who say they were sexually abused by priests as minors. The agreements bring to more than $20 million the amount insurance companies have pledged in settlement funds, said a July 6 statement by Spokane Bishop William S. Skylstad. The diocese already had reached agreements with four other insurance companies. The new agreements were made with CNA Insurance for $3.5 million and with Washington Insurance Guaranty Association for $1 million, said Bishop Skylstad, who is also president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. Because the diocese filed for bankruptcy protection in 2004 and because of an appeals process, the agreements need approval by the U.S. Bankruptcy Court of the Eastern District of Washington and the U.S. Federal Court for the Eastern District of Washington.

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