Top Class Actions’s website and social media posts use affiliate links. If you make a purchase using such links, we may receive a commission, but it will not result in any additional charges to you. Please review our Affiliate Link Disclosure for more information.
The Catholic Diocese of Winona-Rochester has reached a $28 million settlement agreement with nearly 150 plaintiffs who say they were victims of clergy sex abuse.
The proposed multi-million dollar settlement is part of the Diocese’s Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceeding initiated in 2018. The Diocese, as well as several of its major insurers, will pay into the settlement fund.
One insurer, US Fire, did not reach an agreement and is not included in the settlement, according to a news release issued by the plaintiffs’ attorney.
Top Class Actions help right consumer wrongs by reporting on settlements reached over sexual abuse allegations. If you or a loved one was sexually abused by a church leader you may be able to join a free clergy sex abuse lawsuit investigation.
Diocese of Winona-Rochester Agrees to $28M Settlement
“This is an important day for the survivors,” said an attorney who represented many of the clergy sex abuse victims in the proposed settlement. “Throughout this process, all of the survivors have demonstrated tremendous courage and patience. Today they finally get to see some accountability for the harm they suffered so many years ago.”
The Catholic Diocese of Winona-Rochester is reportedly the last diocese in Minnesota to resolve claims of clergy sex abuse under the state’s updated statute of limitations for child sexual abuse claims. Enacted in 2013, the Minnesota Child Victims Act allowed those who experienced child sex abuse between 2013 and 2016 to file claims.
At the time of its bankruptcy filing, the Diocese of Winona-Rochester faced 121 claims of clergy sex abuse, according to KTTC. The abuse allegedly took place during the 1960s until the 1980s and was perpetrated by 14 priests.
For its part, the diocese has pointed to new programs that allegedly require background checks of clergy, teachers, staff, and volunteers, along with training and accountability to keep children safe from sexual abuse.
“It is my desire and hope that the compensation paid in this settlement will help the survivors heal from the pain they have felt over these many years,” the Most Reverend John Quinn, Bishop of the Diocese of Winona-Rochester reportedly said. “We must never forget the tragic anguish caused by individuals who abused their power and positions of authority. We must stay vigilant in our unwavering commitment to protect the youth in our Diocese who rely on priests, deacons, religious, and lay people to keep them safe and provide for their spiritual care.”
While the $28 million settlement resolves claims with the diocese, it does not ban future claims from those who experienced clergy sex abuse against companies that insured the diocese when the abuse occurred.
The proposed settlement and reorganization plan still needs to be approved. Top Class Actions will update this news story as it develops. Click on the “Follow Article” button at the top of this page to get the latest updates on the clergy abuse settlement by using your free Top Class Actions account.
Did you or a loved one experience clergy sex abuse? What do you think of the $28 million settlement with the diocese? Tell us in the comment section below.
Some of the plaintiffs were represented by Jeff Anderson of Jeff Anderson & Associates PA.
Read About More Class Action Lawsuits & Class Action Settlements:
One thought on $28M Settlement Reached in Minn. Clergy Sex Abuse Litigation
As a survivor of abuse in this Diocese I am amazed at how a insurer (US Fire) can continue the prolonged mental abuse by not settling! As far as I am concerned what they are doing is Abuse in it self! All over Greed! It isn’t a question of if they have to pay they want to justify how much by limiting the times of abuse to 1 in a policy period! Regardless of the number of times I was abused! Let me make myself perfectly clear! I truly hope I get the opportunity to take the stand and tell my story to a jury! You want to deny what happened to me! Please take this to trial! I’m trying to expose your companies use of the legal system to continue the torment that is now over 40 years! I also believe that I am being abused by your direct actions!