The Archdiocese of Los Angeles has reached an $880 million settlement over 1,354 child sexual abuse claims, making it the largest single child sex abuse settlement with a Catholic archdiocese. The lawsuits were filed under California Assembly Bill 218, which lifted the statute of limitations and provided a three-year window to revive civil claims of past sexual abuse involving minors. The settlement covers remaining claims filed against the Archdiocese under the bill passed in 2019. The settlement reflects the harm done to vulnerable children and the neglect, complicity, and cover-up by the Archdiocese. Victims’ attorney, Morgan A. Stewart, encouraged other religious institutions within the Catholic Church to take accountability. Archbishop José H. Gomez expressed remorse for the incidents and hoped that the settlement would provide some healing for the survivors. The archdiocese will use its financial reserves, investments, loans, and other assets to pay the settlement, ensuring that no designated donations to parishes or schools will be used. This settlement could signal the end of ongoing legal battles, as the archdiocese had previously paid hundreds of millions to victims in 2007. The Archbishop stated that the settlement would provide just compensation to survivor-victims while allowing the Archdiocese to continue its ministries and social programs serving the community.
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Los Angeles Archdiocese agrees to $880 million settlement in child sex abuse cases with hundreds of claimants
