International - Globescan

Largest church abuse settlement

BURLINGTON (U.S.): A judge granted preliminary approval on Wednesday to America's largest settlement in the church abuse scandal, authorising a $120-million agreement between the Roman Catholic Diocese of Covington and hundreds of victims of child-molesting priests and other employees. The decision by Judge John W. Potter makes immediately available $40 millions from diocese assets. The victims and the diocese are suing two insurance companies for the remaining $80 millions. The ruling allows the church and the plaintiff's lawyers to begin advertising the settlement and sets a Nov. 10 deadline for claims to be filed. ``It's such a sensitive issue,'' plaintiff's attorney Stan Chesley said. ``It's the best way to know we have a measure of justice.'' he class-action suit was filed in 2003. It accuses the church of a 50-year cover-up of sexual abuse by priests and other employees. Carrie Huff, an attorney for the diocese, described the settlement as an amicable resolution. ``We have come to see the issues in the same way. It's hard to breathe a sigh of relief under these circumstances, but I'm happy,'' she said. It was unclear how many people are part of the class action. — AP

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