Landmark Settlement in Clergy Abuse Cases
The Archdiocese of Los Angeles has agreed to one of the largest settlements to date involving the Catholic Church, agreeing to pay $880 million to those alleging abuse by clergy members stretching back decades. Legal representatives for 1,353 individuals, who claim to have endured severe abuse by priests within the local Catholic community, reached this agreement after prolonged negotiations with the archdiocese. This marks the conclusion of a lengthy 25-year litigation battle against the United States’ most populous archdiocese.
This resolution leaves only a handful of lawsuits still open against the church in Los Angeles. Previously, the archdiocese had disbursed $740 million through various settlements and had vowed to enhance the protection of its churchgoers, bringing the cumulative amount to over $1.5 billion.
“The survivors have endured immense suffering for many years following the abuse. Numerous survivors have passed away as they age, and so have many individuals who possess knowledge of the church’s abuse. A resolution was vital,” stated Morgan Stewart, the lead attorney in these settlement negotiations.
Mike Reck, an attorney representing Jeff Anderson & Associates, commented, “This is a step toward justice. Absolute justice may never be achieved, but these courageous survivors undertook this action to safeguard future generations.”
Archdiocesan Response and Funding
Archbishop José H. Gomez endorsed the settlement, which will be financed by archdiocese investments, various reserves, bank loans, and other assets. According to the archdiocese, additional costs of the settlement will be covered by certain religious orders and others named in the ongoing litigation.
“I sincerely apologize for every incident, from my heart,” Gomez expressed to parishioners. “I hope this settlement aids in healing the men and women affected by these sufferings.” Gomez stated that the settlement offers “fair compensation to the survivor-victims for past abuses while enabling the Archdiocese to continue its ministries.” The archdiocese now enforces rigorous background checks and reporting protocols, Gomez added, and has established comprehensive training programs for its staff and volunteers to protect youth.
“These reforms have ensured that new instances of sexual misconduct by priests and clergy involving minors are rare within the Archdiocese,” he noted. “No one found guilty of harming a minor currently serves in ministry. I pledge: We shall remain vigilant.” Nonetheless, individuals continue to approach with longstanding claims.
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Historical Mismanagement and New Revelations
Over two decades, the church struggled with accusations that past leaders mishandled cases of abuse, often relocating clergy guilty of abusing minors instead of removing them from the priesthood and notifying law enforcement. In the past decades, legal documents and records from both the diocese and police have implicated over 300 priests within the Los Angeles archdiocese of minor sexual abuse.
Archbishop Gomez succeeded Cardinal Roger Mahony, whose management of the scandal sparked criticism and undermined his standing as a prominent Roman Catholic authority in America. In 2013, documents revealed that Mahony and a senior advisor conspired to hide priest molestation cases from law enforcement.
“Cardinal Mahony is a central figure in many allegations,” commented Stewart. “His history of concealment allowed further victimization of children.”
As part of the new settlement, Stewart noted, the archdiocese will release more documentation pertaining to priestly abuse cases.
Notable Cases and Legal Developments
Among the clergy implicated in settled lawsuits, Father Michael Baker remains one of the notable perpetrators. He admitted to abusing boys to Mahony in 1986, yet was allowed to resume ministry after therapy. Officials say he subsequently victimized more children, with suspicions that Baker abused over 40 throughout his priesthood. In 2009, a federal grand jury appeared into Mahony’s and the church’s management of abuse allegations, but no criminal charges emerged. Nevertheless, civil litigation over decades uncovered the extensive measures the archdiocese took to keep abuse from police knowledge.
Records from 1986 and 1987, notably memos by Mahony and Msgr. Thomas J. Curry—then chief consultant on sex abuse cases for the archdiocese—highlighted their attempts to prevent law enforcement from discovering child molestation. Following Baker’s confession of abusing young boys, Curry remarked in a memo, “There’s an issue, as mentioning his child abuse problem might necessitate the therapist to report him. He cannot discuss his past issue,” with Mahony’s written response at the memo’s bottom reading: “Sounds good — please proceed!!”
Decades elapsed before investigators could prosecute Baker for abuse. In 2007, Baker pleaded guilty to sexual abuse charges involving two boys, resulting in a 10-year prison sentence. He was released in 2011 due to county jail time credit and good behavior. Baker’s case significantly contributed to Mahony’s professional decline. “I told Mahony I faced difficulties,” Baker shared with The Times in 2001. Mahony neither asked for details nor showed apprehension about allowing his continued priesthood role, according to Baker. “His response was accommodating and empathetic,” Baker expressed, appreciating the disclosure opportunity.
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Another priest implicated was George Neville Rucker, accused in several cases finalized this week, asserted Stewart. Various lawsuits charge that Rucker victimized at least 41 individuals between the late 1940s and 1980s, with allegations of assault against girls as young as seven. Rucker was forced to retire in 1987 and continued chaplain duties until 2002, when faced with 29 counts of molestation. Authorities apprehended him attempting international departure to evade prosecution, capturing him on a Russia-bound cruise ship. However, in 2003, charges were dropped after a U.S. Supreme Court ruling, determining some cases (including Rucker’s) were outside the statute of limitations.
In 1991, Rucker met with a victim in Seattle, attributing his misconduct to steroid medication and divine will; this is noted by an anonymous attendee in a letter to the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. “God called me to priesthood, and God doesn’t err, so I believe this unfolded within God’s plan for [the victim’s] salvation,” Rucker stated. The letter writer expressed shock over attributing sexual abuse responsibility to divine intention, stating concern that it’s uncommon for sex offenders to harm only one victim.
Continued Struggles and Financial Implications for the Archdiocese
In 2014, the Los Angeles Archdiocese perceived a conclusion to its priest molestation lawsuits and enforced various reforms. However, 2019’s amendment to state law, extending timelines for childhood sexual abuse lawsuits, spurred a fresh litigation surge against the archdiocese. Financially, settlements have heavily impacted Catholic dioceses nationally. Efforts to cover costs have involved selling considerable church properties and, at times, exhausting or forfeiting both past and future insurance for abuse claims. Over 24 Catholic dioceses, including San Diego, Oakland, and San Francisco, have filed for bankruptcy in recent history.
In 2019, the L.A. Archdiocese announced an unprecedented $8-million settlement with an 18-year-old previous Catholic school student abused by a coach, marking the archdiocese’s largest individual settlement in a sexual abuse case. The student’s attorney highlighted oversight failures regarding teacher conduct.
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This article was initially published in the Los Angeles Times.