The Archdiocese of Los Angeles has reached an agreement in principle totaling $880 million to compensate claims of childhood sexual abuse dating from the 1940s through 1970s. California State Assembly Bill 218 (AB 218), which was passed in 2019, lifted the statute of limitations for a second time in California allowing civil claims of past sexual misconduct involving minors during a three-year window from 2020-2022. The Archdiocese of Los Angeles was named in approximately 1,900 claims involving allegations of past sexual misconduct by clergy, religious and lay women and men. None of the claims involve recent sexual misconduct and no claims were made against clergy, religious, or lay persons affiliated with St. Bartholomew.
Counsel for the Archdiocese and the Plaintiffs’ Liaison Committee have announced that they have reached an agreement in principle through mediation that would lead to the settlement of 1,353 claims involving the archdiocese in the coordinated proceedings for $880 million.
The Administrative Office of the Archdiocese will be taking the primary financial responsibility for funding the settlement along with payments by certain religious orders and others named in the litigation. Designated contributions to parishes, schools, and to collections or campaigns such as Called to Renew, Together in Mission and the Catholic Education Foundation will not be used to fund the settlement. It is expected that initial funding of the settlement will occur in 2025.
For more information about the settlement and the archdiocese’s Zero Tolerance sexual abuse prevention policies and programs, please visit the special web portal at www.LACatholics.org/AB218.
St. Bartholomew and the Archdiocese of Los Angeles reaffirms their commitment to survivor-victims and stands resolute against abuse. Let us continue to pray for all victim-survivors of sexual abuse in our society and let us continue to work together as a community of faith to prevent abuse and keep our parishes, schools and ministries safe for all.