The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Milwaukee declared on Tuesday that it would compensate clergy abuse victims numbering above 300 the amount of 21 million. The said settlement may end bankruptcy proceedings that was running for four years.
The proposed agreement, which will also be a component of a reorganization program that will be submitted to a bankruptcy court, to be analyzed by a judge overlooking the lawsuit at a hearing set on Nov. 9, as per FOX News.
Archbishop of Milwaukee Jerome Listecki labeled the settlement a "new Pentecost." However, a counsel for the victims, together with those advocating for the clergy abuse victims, belittled the settlement as a meager amount.
"Today, we turn the page on a terrible part of our history and we embark on a new road lined with hope, forgiveness and love," Archbishop Listecki said.
The archdiocese detailed that the settlement was agreed upon by the archdiocese, lawyers for abuse survivors and creditors' committee after three days of mediation in Milwaukee in July.
According to The Guardian, Jeff Anderson, the lawyer who speak for the 350 people out of the approximated 570, with bankruptcy claims, condemned the Archdiocese of Milwaukee for trying to throw out of court hundreds of claim before a November bankruptcy deliberation. The end result, as Anderson stated, the creditors' committee was strained to block the case from being dragged on for a longer period.
"The treatment of the survivors by the Archdiocese of Milwaukee has been harsh and hurtful," said Anderson.
"This process has been heartbreaking for many who have been treated so unfairly by hardball legal tactics. The survivors continued to stand up for what was right, what they believed in, and to make sure the truth was brought to light. Because of them, children are better protected."
David Clohessy, director of the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, also chastised the deal. He rebuked church officials of "cramming a self-serving plan down the throats of struggling abuse victims."
The U. S. Catholic Church has been buffeted with a series of accusations of sexual abuse directed mainly at clergy who has set their eyes on youths over the past 20 years. The scandals have charged the U.S church about $3 billion in resolution and driven conspicuous dioceses like Milwaukee's into repudation.
As per Reuters, the archdiocese has entered Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in 2011, indicating the financial ditch of resolving sexual-abuse claims and recognizing blunders by the church in handling the pedophile priests.
The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Milwaukee will also set aside a $500,000 fund to reimburse counseling for abuse survivors and therapy.
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