The Catholic
Archdiocese of Chicago said Tuesday it had agreed to pay
more than $12.6 million to settle lawsuits by 16 people who
accused priests of sexual abuse.
"My hope is that
these settlements will help the survivors and their
families begin to heal and move forward," Cardinal Francis
George said in a statement in which he also apologized
for the abuse.
Fourteen of the
cases involve sexual abuse by 10 different priests and
two relate to the Rev. Daniel J. McCormack, who pleaded
guilty last year to charges he abused five children.
"I apologize
again today to the survivors and their families and to
the whole Catholic community," George said. "We must
continue to do everything in our power to ensure the
safety of the children in our care."
The settlements
were reached through a mediation process in which the
cardinal himself gave a lengthy deposition.
Attorney Jeff
Anderson, who represented some of the plaintiffs, praised
the mediation process and the cardinal.
"He has
demonstrated his commitment to healing these survivors,"
Anderson said.
George previously
acknowledged he failed to act soon enough in
McCormack's case. (AP)
