Eugene, Ore. – About 150 people who claimed they were molested by priests have agreed to settle their lawsuits against the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Portland for an undisclosed amount.
U.S. District Judge Michael Hogan announced the agreement but would not give a dollar amount. He told reporters that the archdiocese, which is in Chapter 11 bankruptcy, could cover all current and future claims without selling off property held by parishes and schools.
The judge said the archdiocese has more than $50 million from settling litigation with insurance companies, plus sufficient real estate and other assets of its own to cover the claims.
Portland was the first archdiocese in the nation to seek protection from creditors when it went to federal bankruptcy court to head off massive lawsuits claiming sexual abuse by the late Rev. Maurice Grammond, who worked in several parishes. Other priests also were accused of abuse.
Dioceses in Tucson; Spokane, Wash.; and Davenport, Iowa, also have sought bankruptcy protection from a flood of lawsuits by people alleging sexual abuse by priests.
Tucson emerged from the process in 2005.
Court records show that the Portland archdiocese has spent $15 million on legal costs in the case. The settlement still must go before a bankruptcy court judge.
About 20 lawsuits remain, but Hogan said he was confident the remaining claimants would accept the settlement. All parties were under a gag order.
David Clohessy, national director of the Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests, who is not a party of the agreement, said in a statement that he hoped the agreement would bring healing to the victims.
