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| LA cardinal offers abuse apology |
| The Roman Catholic Church in Los Angeles has apologised to hundreds of people abused by priests after agreeing to a record-breaking settlement.
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| UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
, 16-July-2007
3:22:6 AM |
| The apology by Cardinal Roger Mahony, the Church's leader, comes after the 508 victims reached a pay-out deal with the church worth $660m (£324m).
Attorneys for both sides will appear in court on Monday to finalise the deal.
The deal was reached just before a series of trials into sex claims dating back to the 1940s were to begin.
"I have come to understand far more deeply than I ever could the impact of this terrible sin and crime that has affected their lives," Cardinal Mahony told a news conference, confirming the compensation deal.
"There really is no way to go back and give them that innocence that was taken from them. The one thing I wish I could give the victims... I cannot.
"Once again, I apologise to anyone who has been offended, who has been abused. It should not have happened, and it will not happen again," Cardinal Mahony said.
'Transparency critical'
The agreement, if approved by a judge, will settle all 15 upcoming paedophilia trials against the Los Angeles archdiocese and avoids the threat of Cardinal Mahony being forced to testify about how the Church dealt with abuses spanning the 1940s to 1990s.
Los Angeles diocese records released in the past revealed that for decades priests accused of child sex abuse were simply moved to new assignments or provided with therapy, Church leaders believing that they could be rehabilitated.
The settlement also calls for the release of confidential priest personnel files, said Ray Boucher, the victims' main lawyer.
"Transparency is a critical part of this and of all resolutions," he said.
Steven Sanchez, a plaintiff in the case, said he was both relieved and disappointed by the outcome.
"I was really emotionally ready to take on the archdiocese in court in less than 48 hours, but I'm glad all victims are going to be compensated," he said.
"I hope all victims will find some type of healing in this process."
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