Bishop 'At Peace' Following $100 Million Settlment
The bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Orange said he was able finally “at peace,” now that the long and bitter clergy sexual abuse battle has come to a close for his diocese.
"I am at peace with the settlement," Bishop Tod D. Brown said in brief remarks after Mass at Holy Family Cathedral, Sunday, December 5. "The victims will be fairly compensated and, at the same time, our diocese will be able to continue our mission of service."
The diocese of Orange on Thursday paid the largest settlement for victims of the sexual abuse by clergy with a record $100 million to its 87 victims. The previous record was held at $85 million by the Boston diocese, which paid 552 victims their dues.
Beyond the financial payments involved in the recent Orange settlement Brown emphasized that he was moved by the victims’ willingness to embrace the church that had so scarred them.
Brown noted that some of the victims embraced him after the settlement was announced and welcomed his personal apology for the conducts of the diocese’s priests and lay officials.
"We welcome all those who wish to return, welcome them back warmly into our community," he said. "Let us pray for that important goal of forgiveness and reconciliation with these victims who through no fault of their own became tragic figures in the history of our church."
According to CNN, the parishioners “echoed the bishop’s relief.”
"It's a good thing for the church to get it behind it so we can move forward," said Kevin Erwin, a 38-year-old attorney from the city of Orange to CNN "I think that a lot of people realize that this isn't a Catholic problem. This isn't a priest problem. It's a problem of society in general."
"I hope they can take care of it all over the country," agreed parishioner Irene Adams to CNN. "This is something that's been covered up and I think it will be good when it's all brought out and the people who are guilty are punished."
