- The payout reflects its rank as the largest archdiocese in the nation, with more than 4 million members, and a California law that gave accusers more time to file suit.
- It also underscores the failures of church leaders to identify molesting priests and prevent them from committing more crimes.
Clergy sex abuse scandals have rocked Catholic churches across the world, but few places have seen the financial toll of the Los Angeles Archdiocese.
With a record $880-million settlement with victims announced this week, the Los Angeles Archdiocese has now paid out more than $1.5 billion.
The bill reflects its rank as the largest archdiocese in the nation, with more than 4 million members, and a California law that gave accusers more time to file suit.
One of the teachers at my high school was a Catholic priest. He had been accused of molesting a young boy when he was in a parish so the bishop, in his wisdom, moved him to an all boys boarding school.
He was later found guilty of molesting the original boy and the parish, as well as a boy at my school. From what I know now, he was definitely grooming one of my classmates, so there were probably many more victims.
He was given 3 years probation, and died a year or two ago, more than 40 years since I had him as a teacher.