BishopAccountability.org
	Gag Order Lifted on $100M Church Settlement ABC 7 [Los Angeles CA] January 3, 2005 LOS ANGELES — A judge today lifted a gag order on a now-confirmed $100 million settlement between the Diocese of Orange and plaintiffs in 90 cases of alleged childhood abuse by Catholic clergy. Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Owen Lee Kwong praised the "hard work and dedication" the parties showed in mediation of the settlement, which was announced on Dec. 2. Following the brief court hearing, dozens of attorneys, plaintiffs, representatives for the diocese, including Bishop Tod Brown, attended an at- times tearful news conference. "This settlement is about the victims," said Ray Boucher, lead counsel for the plaintiffs. "It's about those people that for so many years hid with the guilt and the fear." Boucher thanked Brown for reaching out to victims under what he called "tremendous pressure" from other bishops, and having the courage to "walk a different road." Brown said he hoped the changes made in the policy and personnel practices in the church would guarantee that such abuse could never happen again. "I wish to apologize to all the plaintiffs for the abuse that they suffered from clergy and other church personnel," Brown said. "I seek their forgiveness. I hope for reconciliation. I know that they have now begun their healing process." Several tearful plaintiffs thanked Brown for bringing closure to a painful situation. "I see the compassion of Christ in this man, and that means a lot to me," plaintiff Mark Curran said, referring to Brown. Curran said often victims were "thrown under the bus" and disbelieved. Plaintiff John Kirker echoed that sentiment, saying his last several years have been filed with "so much anger and hatred and fear and doubt." Plaintiff Joelle Casteix said she was "overwhelmed" by news of the settlement. Several months ago, abuse victims like her were still being shunned, she said. Casteix said it is important now to remain vigilant in making people aware of abuse, and to "make sure no other child was hurt like I was hurt, or raped like I was raped or shunned like I was shunned." Attorney John Manly represented 30 of the 87 plaintiffs, including Casteix. "Those of us who are Catholic know it could have happened to us, and if it didn't ... we are very lucky," he said. Attorneys for the diocese also were apologetic to the plaintiffs, whose cases spanned the years 1936 to 1996. Peter M. Callahan, lead counsel for the diocese, said he was instructed from the beginning to reach a "fair, compassionate resolution of this crisis." Maria Schinderle, general counsel for the diocese, said she wanted to extend a "heartfelt apology to every plaintiff in the room," and she announced a 7 p.m. public prayer service at Holy Family Cathedral in Orange. No terms of the settlement are confidential, but the names of the plaintiffs and the specific amounts they will receive are being withheld to protect their privacy. Money will be allocated among plaintiffs without the diocese's approval or involvement. The court will conduct hearings to confirm that all settlements were made in good faith. The diocese also agreed to make available for release all documents relevant to childhood sexual abuse, subject to a court ruling on legal privileges and third-party privacy rights. The perpetrators in the cases are 31 priests, 10 laypersons, one brother and two sisters.
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