Victims' attorney says lawsuit with Jesuits settled for $50 million

Published: 2007-11-20

FAIRBANKS, Alaska (CNS) -- The attorney for plaintiffs in more than 100 claims of clergy sex abuse announced Nov. 18 a $50 million settlement with the Society of Jesus for cases involving more than a dozen Jesuits posted in Alaska between 1961 and 1987. However, Jesuit Father John D. Whitney, superior of the Jesuits' Oregon province, said in a statement that "there are still many issues that need to be finalized before it is appropriate to make an official announcement about a settlement." He said the province was disappointed by Anchorage attorney Ken Roosa's announcement, which he described as "premature and detrimental to the work of healing about which we are all concerned." The Diocese of Fairbanks is a co-defendant in the cases. Separate lawsuits against the diocese remain unresolved.

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