New Orleans archdiocese pledges $180m (£134m) to abuse victims fund
The Archdiocese of New Orleans in the United States has reached a decision to allocate nearly $180 million (£134 million) to victims of sexual abuse by priests.
As part of the agreement announced on Wednesday, the archdiocese, its parishes, and several insurers will contribute a total of $179.2 million (£133.5 million) to a trust fund for the victims. These funds will be distributed upon the completion of the church's bankruptcy proceedings.
The agreement also includes "unprecedented" provisions and procedures aimed at preventing future abuses and providing support for victims.
Among these is a victims' bill of rights and changes in the archdiocese's procedures for handling abuse claims.
Archbishop Gregory Aymond, quoted by the Associated Press, expressed his gratitude to God for all those who contributed to reaching the agreement. He also shared his hope for healing among survivors and within the local church.
The settlement still requires approval from the bankruptcy court, the abuse victims, and other creditors of the archdiocese.
Abuse victims in the Church
Scandals involving sexual abuse in the Catholic Church have shocked public opinion worldwide.
From the United States to Ireland, Germany, and Poland, successive reports reveal dramatic testimonies of people who, as children or young people, experienced abuse by clergy. For many of them, this trauma lasts a lifetime.
Victims were often exploited by those they trusted implicitly - priests, catechists, and caregivers in educational centres run by the Church. The characteristic feature of these cases was not only the abuse itself but also the mechanisms of silence and cover-up that left perpetrators unpunished, while victims were left on their own.
