From Newsgroup: comp.sys.mac.advocacy

A historic $395 million settlement has been reached between the
Archdiocese of San Francisco and hundreds of survivors who accused the
church of childhood sexual abuse.

The settlement will compensate more than 500 survivors, many of whom
came forward after decades of silence. Survivors say they hope the
outcome will help protect other children from abuse.

This is one of the largest settlements between the Catholic Church and survivors of sexual abuse. Survivors described the agreement as a
turning point after years of advocacy.

"Today's shame is going to change sides. This acknowledges the systemic
denials and cover-ups by the Archdiocese of San Francisco," said Margie O'Driscoll, a survivor and co-chair of the survivors committee.

For three years, a committee of nine survivors represented more than 500
people in negotiations with the archdiocese.

"What was broken in me is not able to be broken by human means it was so
deep," said survivor Brigid Crotty. "When he (priest) abused me, he
would always say you are a bad girl and if you tell anyone everyone will
know that you are a bad girl."

The Archdiocese of San Francisco is one of 13 dioceses in the United
States that has not released a list of credibly accused abusers. Under
the settlement, the archdiocese will be required to implement 14 changes
aimed at protecting children. Those include enhanced screening measures
for church personnel and a ban on private conversations between children
and priests.

In 2023, the archdiocese filed for bankruptcy after hundreds of lawsuits
were brought by alleged sexual abuse victims.

Attorneys representing survivors said the new safeguards will be
enforced through the bankruptcy court system.

"It is our hope and it is our plan, and it is the expectation that the
power and the jurisdiction of the bankruptcy court, judges and the
successors and the survivors have the opportunity to require the
archbishop, the entire enterprise, all the parishes, all the schools and
all the affiliates that already comply," said attorney Jeff Anderson.

In a letter, Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone acknowledged the harm
caused.

"I sincerely apologize to all those who have suffered because of those failures. We remain committed to fostering healing and
reconciliation...," he wrote.

https://www.yahoo.com/news/us/articles/archdiocese-san-francisco-reaches- landmark-060341513.html
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