The Catholic Diocese of Manchester has agreed to pay 950,000 dollars to settle sixteen sex abuse cases. NHPR's David Darman has more.
The settlement between the Catholic diocese and the sixteen men who were allegedly abused as boys keeps their names secret. And the agreement pays no individual more than 150,000 dollars. Attorney Chuck Douglas represents the sixteen men. He says the settlement avoids what could have become a traumatic situation for each of his clients.
04 04 obviously, they're relieved that this is a complete resolution of their case. They're very happy that they don't have to be in a public forum, where they would be grilled, where they would have to explain things that would be very, in many cases, personal. 44
The settlement includes a written apology from Bishop John McCormack. But McCormack did not attend the settlement announcement. Father Edward Arsenault spoke for the bishop. Arnsenault said the settlement includes counseling for the victims, initially from a church affiliated therapist.
mr Douglas has a letter from joseph naff, who's a clinical social worker who works on bishop mc cormack's staff. 03 203 And so joe is going to offer the opportunity of an initial period of consultation with catholic charities personnel. Part of our settlement agreement also is mindful that people may want to find their own counseling relationship with the person they select. 03 220
The lawsuits that have been settled accused eight priests of sexual abuse between 1957 and 1982. Two of the priests have died. The others have either been dismissed from the clergy or left voluntarily. Father Arsenault says by settling these sixteen cases, the diocese is fulfilling its mission.
07 131 they're people who needed the help of the church, and so we were able to reach an agreement with mr. Douglas in a timely manner, and I'm thrilled that we could be helpful to these sixteen people. And I'm hopeful that we can be helpful to the other people who have made reports, too. 07 144
Several attorneys in New Hampshire have lawsuits pending against Manchester's Catholic Diocese. At least one of the attorneys has pulled his clients out of any settlement talks with the church.
