The Archdiocese of San Francisco has agreed to pay $395 million to resolve civil lawsuits filed by people who say they were sexually abused by Catholic clergy. Multiple outlets report that the settlement covers more than 500 claims, with one account putting the figure at about 530 alleged victims. Plaintiffs’ attorneys characterize the lawsuits as involving abuse by church officials and clergy members.
Beyond the monetary payment, the settlement includes additional terms described by at least one source. The Guardian reports that the San Francisco archbishop, Salvatore Cordileone, must write an apology letter to each survivor and that the agreement requires child-protection reforms. Other coverage focuses primarily on the size of the deal and the number of claims it addresses.
The reports do not indicate that any specific denial or admission of wrongdoing is part of the announcement. The agreement is presented as a settlement intended to bring the lawsuits to an end for the participating claims.
