ST. PAUL, Minn. Attorneys representing clergy abuse victims announced a $210 million settlement Thursday in the protracted Twin Cities archdiocese bankruptcy case, calling it the largest ever. More than 400 victims will share in the proceeds.
In a news conference Thursday afternoon, St. Paul attorney Jeff Anderson called the settlement a story of trauma and triumph and the pursuit of truth and accountability. He appeared to tear up and said, feelings overwhelming me in this moment.
The Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis sought bankruptcy protection in 2015, citing the expected costs of settling abuse cases. Hopes for a quick settlement evaporated as attorneys for victims and lawyers battled over the amount and which church entities could be tapped for it. Only Milwaukees legal fight lasted longer.
The archdiocese will pay $40 million of the settlement amount, and church insurers will pay $170 million, Anderson said. Attorneys fees have yet to be negotiated.
He said he hopes to get money to survivors by the end of the year. Money wont be evenly split, he said.
Jim Keenan, a clergy abuse survivor who chaired a creditors committee, said the church now has to listen to victims and thats bigger than the $210 million settlement.
Anderson said the Minnesota Child Victims Act of 2013 opened doors to the settlement by allowing a three-year period for lawsuits to be filed in cases of clergy abuse dating back years, in some cases decades.
As a result of those, he said, the archdiocese has listed 91 clergy members credibly accused of sexual abuse. Top church officials have had to give sworn statements about their handling of clergy sex abuse complaints. Anderson called Vicar General Kevin Mc-Donough the manager of this problem.
The protracted bankruptcy has provoked the consternation of both victims and the church. Victims have been angry with the church first for the abuse and cover-up, then through the protracted bankruptcy.
Since the claim was filed, Kressel said at least seven survivors had died and more were in the 70s and 80s.
Four of Minnesotas six Catholic dioceses have filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.
Nationally, 15 dioceses and archdioceses have declared bankruptcy in recent years, according to Bishops Accountability, a database tracking clergy abuse.
