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	Report: Providence Diocese Still Settling Sexual Abuse Claims WPRI [Providence RI] July 18, 2005 PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) -- The Roman Catholic Diocese of Providence has settled an additional 50 sexual abuse claims, totaling $2 million, since reaching a $14.3 million settlement with about three dozen people in 2002. The settlements have been taking place quietly and outside of court, with the diocese offering payments of $10,000 to $50,000 for those presenting valid claims, The Providence Journal reported Monday. "It certainly, for me, is the most personally draining experience I've ever had in my life," said Monsignor Paul D. Theroux, the bishop's chief of staff. "I've said to some priest friends, 'Believe me, if we could just finish it, be all over, no one would be happier than I." Under the diocese's process for hearing claims, people with legitimate complaints are offered $25,000 or the chance to enter arbitration. Most alleged victims opt for arbitration, allowing them to share their complaint with the monsignor. The 2002 settlement in the most Catholic state in the nation involved 37 plaintiffs and 11 priests. But the number of people who allege abuse has now climbed to at least 90 people, and the names of at least 13 more priests have surfaced, according to the Journal. Theroux declined to confirm a list of the accused priests, but said none remains in the priesthood. "I'm very uncomfortable with some of the names," Theroux said. "There are a couple of situations where I have absolutely no doubt that what they described, happened to them, but I don't think they have the right name of the (priest)." The monsignor said he was "quite convinced of 98 percent" of the sexual abuse complaints. Two of the four lawsuits filed against the diocese center on priests removed since 2002. Theroux said the diocese expected to mediate the lawsuits out of court.
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