The Catholic Diocese of Camden has agreed to pay $87.5 million to more than 300 alleged childhood victims of clergy sexual abuse. The settlement is said to be one of the largest involving the Catholic Church in the U.S. It sets up a trust, which the diocese would be required to pay into over a four year-period. Attorneys for the abuse victims say the average payment will be about $290,000 for those who filed a claim.
The settlement also puts in place new child protective measures, including requiring church leaders to publicly disclose any history of abuse in the diocese. In a statement, Camden Bishop Dennis Sullivan offered prayers to the survivors and pledged to make sure this part of the church’s history is never repeated.
