The Archdiocese of New Orleans has reached a settlement of nearly $180 million for victims of clergy sexual abuse, with $179.2 million to be placed into a trust for survivors following the archdiocese’s bankruptcy proceedings. This agreement, announced recently, aims to resolve a lawsuit initiated in 2020. However, it has faced significant backlash from many survivors, who feel excluded from the negotiations. Lawyers representing the victims criticized the deal as a “secret backroom agreement” that a majority of them would likely reject, calling it a continuation of the archdiocese’s longstanding mistreatment of abuse victims.
Survivor Aaron Hebert, who claims he was abused in the 1960s, described the settlement as an “insult” meant to deter victims from pursuing their claims in state court. While the settlement includes provisions intended to safeguard against future abuse and enhance services for survivors—including a survivors’ bill of rights—many victims remain skeptical of the archdiocese’s sincerity.
The proposed deal requires approval from the survivors, bankruptcy court, and other creditors affiliated with the archdiocese. The ongoing lawsuits involve over 500 individuals alleging clergy abuse, which has uncovered extensive church records indicating a history of transferring accused clergy without notifying authorities. In response to these allegations, the archdiocese previously released a list of over 50 clergy members who faced removal due to credible abuse accusations.
Archbishop Gregory Aymond expressed hope that the agreement would pave the way for healing, stating gratitude towards those involved in the settlement discussions. Nonetheless, the contentious nature of the deal highlights the ongoing struggle for justice faced by many survivors of clerical abuse.
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