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| LA Church 'in record abuse deal' | LA Church 'in record abuse deal' |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| The Catholic Church in Los Angeles has reached a financial deal with more than 500 people alleging sexual abuse by priests, the plaintiffs' lawyer says. | The Catholic Church in Los Angeles has reached a financial deal with more than 500 people alleging sexual abuse by priests, the plaintiffs' lawyer says. |
| The deal, said to be for $660m (£324m), has yet to be approved by a judge. | The deal, said to be for $660m (£324m), has yet to be approved by a judge. |
| It would be the biggest compensation payment the Church has made since the sexual abuse scandal exploded into public view in 2002. | |
| It would take the total paid out by US dioceses to $2bn since 1950, with LA paying about one quarter of that. | |
| The settlement figures have not yet been officially announced. | The settlement figures have not yet been officially announced. |
| The diocese is expected to sell property to raise the compensation funds. | The diocese is expected to sell property to raise the compensation funds. |
| Ray Boucher, lead plaintiff lawyer in the case, said the settlement also called for the release of confidential priest personnel files. | Ray Boucher, lead plaintiff lawyer in the case, said the settlement also called for the release of confidential priest personnel files. |
| "Transparency is a critical part of this and of all resolutions," he said. | "Transparency is a critical part of this and of all resolutions," he said. |
| Healing process | Healing process |
| Steven Sanchez, a plaintiff in the case, said he was both relieved and disappointed by the outcome. | Steven Sanchez, a plaintiff in the case, said he was both relieved and disappointed by the outcome. |
| "I was really emotionally ready to take on the archdiocese in court in less than 48 hours, but I'm glad all victims are going to be compensated," he said. | "I was really emotionally ready to take on the archdiocese in court in less than 48 hours, but I'm glad all victims are going to be compensated," he said. |
| "I hope all victims will find some type of healing in this process." | "I hope all victims will find some type of healing in this process." |
| David Clohessy, national director of the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, said while it was the largest settlement by the Church, money was not the key objective for victims. | David Clohessy, national director of the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, said while it was the largest settlement by the Church, money was not the key objective for victims. |
| "It is never about the money. Victims want healing, prevention, closing, accountability," he said. | "It is never about the money. Victims want healing, prevention, closing, accountability," he said. |
| The diocese has not yet commented on the settlement but said Church officials planned to be in court on Monday morning. | The diocese has not yet commented on the settlement but said Church officials planned to be in court on Monday morning. |
| In a recent letter to parishioners, Cardinal Roger Mahony said the Church would be selling an administrative building and was considering the sale of about 50 other Church properties to raise funds for settlement. | In a recent letter to parishioners, Cardinal Roger Mahony said the Church would be selling an administrative building and was considering the sale of about 50 other Church properties to raise funds for settlement. |
| Since 2002 nearly 1,000 people have filed such claims against the Roman Catholic Church in California alone. | Since 2002 nearly 1,000 people have filed such claims against the Roman Catholic Church in California alone. |
| In February 2004, a report commissioned by the Church said more than 4,000 Roman Catholic priests in the US had faced sexual abuse allegations in the last 50 years. | In February 2004, a report commissioned by the Church said more than 4,000 Roman Catholic priests in the US had faced sexual abuse allegations in the last 50 years. |