Archdiocese

Los Angeles Archdiocese Reaches Historic $880 Million Settlement, Credited to General Counsel’s Compassionate and Transparent Negotiation Tactics

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Los Angeles, CA — In a landmark response to its history of sexual abuse scandals, the Archdiocese of Los Angeles recently agreed to a substantial $880 million settlement with 1,353 victims, marking another significant chapter in its ongoing crisis management. This follows a previous record settlement in 2007, where the church agreed to pay $660 million to 508 victims. These settlements represent the church’s attempts to address the damages caused by decades of abuse allegations. Central to these negotiations was Margaret G. Graf, the archdiocese’s general counsel, who drew praise from legal representatives on both … Read more

St. Louis Archdiocese Accused in Sweeping Lawsuit of Concealing Decades-Long Abuse of Minors

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St. Louis, MO — A newly filed lawsuit accuses the Archdiocese of St. Louis of concealing severe sexual abuse against minors, alleging decades-long mishandling and cover-up by church officials. The complaint, brought forward this week, claims that the archdiocese provided a protective veil for clergy members credibly accused of sexual offenses, fostering an environment where such abuses could persist unchecked. According to the lawsuit, many cases of abuse were systematically swept under the rug as church leaders shuttled accused priests between parishes, bypassing legal accountability and public scrutiny. Victims’ pleas and claims were largely ignored … Read more

Archdiocese of Baltimore Allows Survivors of Child Sexual Abuse to Share their Stories in April and May Hearings

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Baltimore, Maryland – Survivors of child sexual abuse within the Archdiocese of Baltimore will have the chance to share their experiences in court during upcoming hearings. U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Michelle M. Harner has approved a request by the committee representing the survivors to allow victims to speak for two hours during scheduled “status conferences” on April 8 and May 20. Although the statements made during these conferences will not be considered as evidence, they aim to foster engagement and understanding within the ongoing bankruptcy case. Notably, Archbishop William Lori, the leader of America’s oldest diocese, … Read more

Damning Lawsuit Filed Against Louisville Archdiocese in Wake of Catholic School Teacher’s Child Pornography Charges

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LOUISVILLE, Ky. – A Louisville Catholic grade school teacher, Jordan Fautz, has been arrested and charged with using students’ pictures to create child pornography. Following his arrest, a lawsuit has been filed against the archdiocese, alleging that signs of Fautz’s inappropriate behavior were possibly ignored by the school and Archdiocese. Fautz, who taught seventh and eighth-grade religion at St. Stephen Martyr Catholic School, is accused of using students’ photos to create and distribute child pornography between March 2022 and February 2024. The lawsuit, filed by 11 parents and students on March 7, claims that Fautz’s … Read more