Catholic Church paying 1.5B for child molestation cases
The Los Angeles Archdiocese is grappling with the aftermath of one of the largest sexual abuse scandals in U.S. Catholic history. The institution is paying $1.5 billion in settlements, following revelations of hundreds of clergy accused of child molestation. This payout is the result of decades of accusations, many of which were brought to light due to the ongoing efforts of survivors and activists pushing for accountability.
Among the accused are prominent priests and church leaders, many of whom were shielded from public scrutiny for years. A key turning point came when legal changes allowed survivors of childhood sexual abuse to file claims beyond previously established deadlines. The cases include egregious misconduct, with reports showing how church officials moved priests between parishes rather than remove them from ministry altogether.
The financial toll on the archdiocese is significant, leading to asset sales and restructuring. The broader question facing the church now is how it will handle future cases, given the massive impact on both survivors and the Catholic community at large.
